How can you prevent chilblains and skin fissures?

Lifestyle
Eléonore de Maurissens
Reading time: 3 minutes
Hoe kan je winterhanden, wintertenen en kloven voorkomen?

Chilblains and skin fissures are common winter ailments. Discover how you can treat and prevent them.


In winter, our skin suffers more from harmful external influences, such as wind and cold. Hence the risk of chilblains and skin fissures. Fissures are superficial cracks in the skin of our face (lips and the surrounding area), ears, hands, and feet. The cause is high skin sensitivity and frequent contact with water or saliva (for lips), humidity, and cold. If cracks become larger and more painful, we refer to them as deep skin fissures.

 

Chilblains: beware of the cold!

Chilblains are inflammatory lesions on skin extremities, such as the hands, toes, feet, and sometimes the nose and ears. The cause of this winter ailment is prolonged exposure to cold. The first symptoms are itching and a burning sensation. Afterwards, the skin gradually becomes red and swollen. Chilblains can cause even more discomfort if accompanied by skin cracks, blisters, or sores. Smokers, women, and people with poor blood circulation or a low body weight are more prone to chilblains. Do not confuse this winter ailment with frostbite, which is a serious condition resulting from exposure to extreme cold.

Adopt a few good habits and prevent skin fissures and chilblains

How do you treat skin fissures and chilblains?

Treat fissures with a rich, moisturizing cream on the dehydrated parts of your face and body. You can make a natural treatment for lip fissures by mixing honey with sweet almond oil. This mixture has a nourishing, feeding, and moisturizing effect on damaged skin.

Treatment for chilblains mainly consists of avoiding exposure to cold. Do not wear clothing, socks, or shoes that are too tight if you have chilblains. This hinders and slows down blood circulation. After exposure to cold, it is important to warm the skin gradually, as sudden warming can worsen chilblains. Consult your doctor for tailored advice.

 

7 tips to prevent skin fissures and chilblains

To prevent skin fissures:

1. Wear proper clothing to protect yourself from the cold: wear gloves and a hat as soon as it is below 5°C.

2. Apply a moisturizing lip balm several times a day.

3. Apply moisturizing cream regularly, especially on your hands, and it is best to wash them with extra-fat soap.

4. Avoid taking long baths, as prolonged contact with water will cause the skin to dry out faster. Prefer a short shower with not-too-hot water.

To prevent chilblains:

5. Wear well-insulating and spacious shoes that do not hinder blood circulation.

6. Wear multiple pairs of socks on top of each other and loose clothing in layers.

7. Wear two pairs of gloves, preferably silk gloves under regular gloves, a hat, and a scarf that covers your nose.

 

Have you suffered from skin fissures and/or chilblains in the winter? What do you do to prevent them? Come and tell us about it on our Facebook and Instagram!

Scientific references

  1. Kurek-Górecka A, Górecki M, Rzepecka-Stojko A, Balwierz R, Stojko J. Bee Products in Dermatology and Skin Care. Molecules. 2020 Jan 28;25(3):556. doi: 10.3390/molecules25030556. PMID: 32012913; PMCID: PMC7036894.

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