Chilblains: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
*Also known as perniones (sing. pernio), chill burns, and perniosis
*Mild but uncomfortable inflammatory lesions of skin
*Mild but uncomfortable inflammatory lesions of skin
**Caused by long-term intermittent exposure to damp, nonfreezing ambient temperatures
**Caused by long-term intermittent exposure to damp, nonfreezing ambient temperatures
**Symptoms precipitated by acute exposure to cold
**Symptoms precipitated by acute exposure to cold
*Primarily a disease of women and children
*Primarily a disease of women and children
*Associated with [[systemic lupus erythematosus|lupus]], antiphospholipid antibodies, and Raynaud phenomenon
*Rare in U.S.; common in United Kingdom
*Rare in U.S.; common in United Kingdom


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:Wintertenen.jpg|thumb|Example 1]]
[[File:Chilblains from excessively icing the feet.jpg|thumb|Example 2]]
*Hands, ears, lower legs, feet most commonly affected
*Hands, ears, lower legs, feet most commonly affected
*Symptoms
*Symptoms
**Tingling, numbness, pruritus, burning paresthesias
**[[paresthesia|Tingling]], [[numbness]], [[pruritus]], burning paresthesias
**Cutaneous manifestations appear up to 12hr after acute exposure
**[[rash|Cutaneous manifestations]] appear up to 12hr after acute exposure
***Localized edema, erythema, cyanosis, plaques, nodules
***Localized edema, erythema, cyanosis, plaques, nodules
***May progress in rare cases to ulcerations, vesicles, and bullae
***May progress in rare cases to ulcerations, vesicles, and bullae
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{{Cold injuries DDX}}
{{Cold injuries DDX}}


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
*Usually clinical
*Clinical diagnosis


==Treatment<ref>Ikaheimo T. Frostbite and Other Localized Cold Injuries. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A comprehensive study guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical; 2011: 1331</ref>==
==Treatment<ref>Ikaheimo T. Frostbite and Other Localized Cold Injuries. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A comprehensive study guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical; 2011: 1331</ref>==
*Affected skin should be rewarmed, gently bandaged, and elevated
*Affected skin should be rewarmed, gently bandaged, and elevated
*Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment options:
*Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment options:
**Nifedipine 20mg PO TID
**[[Nifedipine]] 20mg PO TID
**Pentoxifylline 400mg PO TID
**[[Pentoxifylline]] 400mg PO TID
**Limaprost 20mcg TID
**Limaprost 20mcg TID
*Topical corticosteroids and oral steroid burst have been shown to be useful
*[[Topical corticosteroids]] and oral [[steroids]] burst have been shown to be useful


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Discharge if no frostbite or other serious pathology


==See Also==
==See Also==
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==References==
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Environmental]]

Latest revision as of 18:31, 4 January 2021

Background

  • Also known as perniones (sing. pernio), chill burns, and perniosis
  • Mild but uncomfortable inflammatory lesions of skin
    • Caused by long-term intermittent exposure to damp, nonfreezing ambient temperatures
    • Symptoms precipitated by acute exposure to cold
  • Primarily a disease of women and children
  • Associated with lupus, antiphospholipid antibodies, and Raynaud phenomenon
  • Rare in U.S.; common in United Kingdom

Clinical Features

Example 1
Example 2
  • Hands, ears, lower legs, feet most commonly affected
  • Symptoms
    • Tingling, numbness, pruritus, burning paresthesias
    • Cutaneous manifestations appear up to 12hr after acute exposure
      • Localized edema, erythema, cyanosis, plaques, nodules
      • May progress in rare cases to ulcerations, vesicles, and bullae
    • Rewarming may result in formation of tender blue nodules which may persist for days

Differential Diagnosis

Cold injuries

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis

Treatment[1]

Disposition

  • Discharge if no frostbite or other serious pathology

See Also

References

  1. Ikaheimo T. Frostbite and Other Localized Cold Injuries. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A comprehensive study guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical; 2011: 1331