Chilblains: Some clinicopathological and therapeutic aspects

ABSTRACT

A total of 29 patients with chilblains were included in this study. Chilblains were found to affect women more than men. In a decreasing order, the following symptoms and signs constituted the clinical picture erythema, itching, swelling, pain and nodules. The condition worsened at night in 58.6% of cases and almost exclusively affected hands and feet. Histopathologically, there was lymphohistiocytic vasculitis with no fibrin deposition. Marked improvement was obtained in 64.7% of patients using nifedipine [Epilat] 20 mg per day while only 16.7% of patients were markedly improved on piribedil [Trivastal] 60 mg per day. Side effects of both drugs [mainly hot flushes and headaches] were infrequent and mild. The use of nifedipine is recommend in the treatment of chilblains