First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

Chest Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Bleeding

Sudden Weakness or Numbness
A Medical Emergency

Font Size

Chilblains (Perniosis)

Chilblains (perniosis, also known as pernio) is a reaction to cold, nonfreezing temperatures. It is seen most often in young people who have Raynaud's syndrome and people who are exposed to damp, cold weather.

Symptoms develop 2 to 14 hours after exposure to cold and usually affect the hands, ears, lower legs, or feet. Symptoms include:

Recommended Related to First Aid

Breathing Problems in Children

Is gasping for breath Can't cry or talk because of breathing trouble Grunts when breathing Has blue lips May have a small object caught in her throat Is breathing very fast Looks very sick

Read the Breathing Problems in Children article > >

Local redness and swelling.
Skin bumps.
Changes in sensation, such as itching or burning.
Tender blue bumps that develop after rewarming.
Blisters and ulcers (in severe cases).

Treatment includes rewarming the affected areas, caring for any blisters that form, and avoiding reexposure to cold.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	May 11, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 11, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.