By the way, doctor: What can I do about chilblains?
The cause appears to be damage to tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin. When skin is exposed to cold, the capillaries constrict, and in susceptible people, some may become damaged. When the skin is rewarmed too quickly, they leak blood into the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation. Susceptibility may be increased by poor circulation, anemia, hormonal changes, connective tissue problems, and certain bone marrow disorders. If you have chronic recurring chilblains, your clinician may order laboratory tests or do a biopsy to rule out a systemic illness.
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