Overview What are chilblains (pernio)? Chilblains, also known as pernio, are small patches of inflamed skin. They develop after exposure to air that’s cold or damp (but not freezing).

Understanding the Context

Usually, chilblains form on your fingers or toes. Chilblains, also known as pernio, is a medical condition in which damage occurs to capillary beds in the skin, most often in the hands or feet, when blood perfuses into the nearby tissue, resulting in redness, itching, inflammation, and possibly blisters. What are chilblains? Chilblains are tender and/or itchy bumps on acral sites following exposure to damp, cold, non-freezing conditions causing a localised form of vasculitis.

Key Insights

Chilblains are also called pernio or perniosis. Chilblains, or pernio, are red or purple bumps that develop on the hands and feet after exposure to cold or damp. Chilblains can be uncomfortable, but they usually heal on their own within 2 to 3 weeks. You can avoid chilblains by wearing warm and waterproof gloves, socks, and footwear when outdoors in damp and cold weather. Chilblains, also known as pernio or perniosis, are a form of localized blood vessel inflammation caused by an atypical reaction to cold, non-freezing temperatures.

Final Thoughts

Pernio (also known as chilblains or perniosis) is a condition characterized by the development of cold-induced erythrocyanotic skin lesions. The word "chilblains" may be derived from the Old English words "chill" and "blegen" (sore) [1]. Chilblains, also known as pernio, is a localized form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) that occurs as a reaction to the cold. The hands and feet, fingers and toes are most commonly affected, although the nose and ears can also be involved in some cases. Benign but potentially painful skin conditions may persist for months in some patients with COVID-19, preliminary data from an international registry suggested. About 5% of patients with pernio, or ...