Chilblains and Homeopathy

Treating chilblains with Homeopathy

Even the thought of winter for some evokes horrid memories of swollen, painful, itchy fingers and toes. With winters hitting its peak at this time of the year, chilblains and frostbite have already started affecting those prone to it. Timely adequate measures and homeopathic treatment can save them from re-living those horrid memories of frost bitten toes and fingers.

Frostbite and chilblains are injuries due to cold, causing structural and functional disturbances of small blood vessels, nerves and skin. Chilblain is a condition with long-lasting symptoms from mild cold injury. It is an inflammatory disease of the skin of the arms and legs and is triggered by prolonged exposure to cold. The disorder is characterized by painful, itchy skin lesions on the lower legs, hands, toes, feet, ears and the face. The lesions usually last two to three weeks.

Frostbite occurs when extreme cold, wet and/or windy weather freezes areas of the body that are poorly protected. Fingers, toes, noses and ears are the most commonly affected areas of the body as well as those areas with poor blood circulation. Tingling and burning are early symptoms and a warning to get out of the cold immediately. If this isn’t possible, move around vigorously to increase blood circulation. The next stage is numbness. At this point, frostbite has probably begun to set it. In the third stage, skin may appear pale or white and cold to the touch. During the final stage, there is swelling and bleeding, and blisters may form after the skin thaws.

A lot many cases can be prevented from getting worse if the following measures are taken immediately. If frostbite is suspected, the individual should move indoors and change into warm, dry clothing. Re-warm the affected areas with warm water. Do not rub affected area(s) with snow. Avoid applying pressure to the frostbitten area(s), as this may increase the injure.

Cover blisters and injured areas with soft dressings, and seek medical attention for further treatment

Preventing frostbite and chilblains:

• Keep your skin dry. Dress in layers of light clothing, rather than bulky, heavy clothes.
• Light cotton socks topped by wool or synthetic socks will help keep your feet warm.
• Wear a hot or earmuffs to cover your ears. Your body loses the greatest amount of heat through the scalp. Ears are especially prone to chilblains and frostbite.
• Protect your hands with mittens rather than gloves so that fingers can warm each other.
• Avoid smoking and drinking. Smoking decreases your blood circulation, and alcohol increases the rate at which the body cools.

Homoeopathy for chilblains and frostbite

Although adopting preventive measures can save a large number of cases, some of them would still need medicinal help. Homoeopathy can be very effective in treating such cold related injuries and also it can eradicate the tendency for having chilblains every winter. Please remember that homoeopathic prescription is strictly symptom-based

Agaricus and Pulsatilla are homoeopathy’s best bet. They are indicated in both chilblains and frostbite when symptoms ask for them. Patients requiring Agaricus suffer intensely from cold, and its chilblains are terribly painful when the hands, or feet, are cold. Pulsatilla chilblains, on the contrary, “terrify” when they get warm. The chilblains of Agaricus are dreadfully sore when cold; those of Pulsatilla itch and burn to distraction when hot.

Sulphur is another key medicine when the above mentioned medicines fail. But it should be used only under professional guidance.

Category: Latest posts, Skin Problem