Chilblains: 100% successful way to treat them w... - Thyroid UK

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Chilblains: 100% successful way to treat them without nasty medication required!

Poppy_the_cat profile image
9 Replies

My mother recently had a chilblain on her toe, and she immediately did what I had taught her a few years back when I was given the most wonderful advice from a Chinese friend.

With current weather I thought it best to pass it on as I remember the vasodilating medication I was given years ago had some very nasty possible side-effects, like turning the whites of one's eyes yellow...which to me would imply liver damage!

Take a mature, banana- one that is going soft, not yet at the stage where it has lots and lots of brown spots on the skin, but soft.

A green banana has skin that is too hard and no good.

Take the peel of the soft banana and rub it onto the affected area where you have the chilblain. The relief for that horrible, hot, incessant itching is virtually instant; it stops almost immediately! Allow the banana skin matter to dry fully. It will go a rather horrible dark brown/ black. Not to worry. Once dry put a cotton socks on. However, if going to bed remove the sock so as not to heat up the feet again.

A few further applications of the banana skin should sort it out completely.

As a further treat, you can fry said banana in coconut oil and if you are able, serve with a dollop of ice-cream! Delicious!

Enjoy being chilblain free!

Poppy the 🐈

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Poppy_the_cat
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9 Replies
Heloise profile image
Heloise

Hi Poppy, I used the inside part of the skin many years ago when I read this tip. I had a slight rash on my ankle but didn't really know why the peel worked. Are you talking about the inside of the peel? Someone asked about chilblains the other day and I hope she tries this.

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_cat in reply toHeloise

Yes, the inside of the peel. It's marvelous and it works!!!

Heloise profile image
Heloise

livestrong.com/article/2703...

ndstephens49 profile image
ndstephens49

Hi Poppy!

Question-what is a chilblain exactly?

Sometimes some of my fingertips split open, usually during cold weather. Is that a ‘chilblain?’

Nancy in West Virginia

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_cat in reply tondstephens49

Hello Nancy,

How painful indeed. I have indeed heard of chilblains on hands splitting. I believe chilblains are associated with poor circulation? Considering how we as thyroid sufferers always have cold hands and feet, maybe there is a connection? I would say that keeping your iron levels in a healthy high range would only be of help, as we need the iron to help with oxygen transport. And of course we need to try our best to maintain a steady temperature environment, neither too hot not too cold. I also find neither gloves nor footwear should be too tight. However I have found Neutrogena hand cream extraordinary for healing hands. Good luck.

Poppy in the wilds of Wiltshire, UK!

in reply tondstephens49

ndstephens49 Unlikely. Chilblains are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. They can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet. Fingers splitting is more likely to be due to overly dry skin in cold weather, but can also indicate certain vitamin deficiencies. A good topical moisturiser will help the symptom but if it's really problematic, a full vitamin panel will be useful to identify any levels that are low and need addressing.

Poppy_the_cat profile image
Poppy_the_cat

Having recently, since I started making my own Kefir, observed that my general skin tone, and suppleness has improved tremendously, I have also read that kefir helps to improve eczema. Topical application of creams will definitely be helpful as you say, though it might be worth considering a two pronged attack and act upon the gut biome from within which may help towards providing a more permanent improvement? Lets all look forward to better sunny warmer days!

Treepie profile image
Treepie

I used to have chilblains on hands and feet but no more yet my feet are always very cold,probably the beta blockers. This made me think that chilblains are a result of external cold but now the cold comes from within making the inside of my socks cooler than the outside.This internal cold does not seem to create chilblains.

serenfach profile image
serenfach

As a child I always had chilblains on every toe, and the banana thing works. As for split skin in your fingers, I get this if I forget my work gloves and find udder mint (for cows with chapped teats) works a treat. (and my hands dont smell of silage for a change!).

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