CHILBLAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1938, Page 4

CHILBLAINS

COMMON WINTER TROUBLE. HOW TO CURE THEM. One of the most common troubles of winter is chilblains. These are caused by cold, combined with a poor circulation and a shortage of the necessary amount of lime in the blood. But they can be avoided to a great extent by wearing sensible clothing. The chilblains form at the extremities where the circulation is most sluggish. The fingers, toes, and margins of the ears are chiefly affected. The first symptom is a burning sensation which may become intolerably itchy. There is local swelling, which alternates between white and red, and in bad cases the surface of the skin breaks and open ulcers form. The cause is to a large extent improper shoes and stockings. Tight shoes interfere with the circulation. Thin stockings allow chilling, and thin shoes prevent the feet from keeping warm. Those suffering from chilblains on the feet should wear woollen stockings or tennis socks in cold weather and shoes of the stout welted type. Never sit about in wet foot coverings. A change of shoes or stockings at the office is comfortable and healthy. Over-warm-ing at a radiator alternating with exposure to the cold is another common cause of chilblains. A deficiency of calcium in the blood is another cause. This deficiency causes the small blood-vessels to dilate under the influence of cold, allowing the blood serum to escape into the tissues and form chilblains. This deficiency, however, may be made up by a diet richer in calcium, such as milk, cheese, and fish. A doctor will give a prescription that is suitable. It should be remembered that calcium is more useful when taken before the cold weather begins than when the chilblains have developed. Painting with any spirit does good. If the chilblains appear likely to break, formalin is good treatment. This should bd painted on twice daily.

Another cold-weather trouble is a painful red condition of the shins, known as erythema. This is caused usually by sitting close to a fire or radiator with thin stockings. The risk is greatly increased by going from.the radiator into the cold. Calcium is also beneficial in this condition.