As I sat down to right this blog post my toes started to itch! Seriously!
Did I just manifest this? After all I was thinking about the topic of chilblains. It reminds me of my days as a young naturopathic student. With every new disease we studied, my classmates and I thought we had that disease.
Chilblains appear as patches of red, swollen and itchy skin. Cold weather and poor circulation can bring it on. Toes are the worse effected areas being an extremity, as well as fingers, nose and ear lobes. When chilblains are left untreated they can end up blistering the skin.
Fortunately a simple case like mine can be remedied fairly quickly.
1. Epsom bath
I get a bucket, fill it up with warm to hot water, add some Epsom salts, some Himalayan salts and a fresh branch of rosemary from my garden. Instant relief. Traditionally rosemary is used to increase blood flow to the extremities and ultimately improve circulation. The rosemary steeps in the hot water much like steeping botanicals to make a cup of tea. The aromatic essential oil is released yielding health benefits. If you don’t have a rosemary bush buy some good quality, organic rosemary oil and add 5 drops. The addition of salts is to soften my skin and soothe my muscles.
2. Massage
Follow your foot bath with a foot massage using a good quality organic oil such as olive, coconut or jojoba oil and then envelope your feet with some warm cotton or woollen socks. I try to avoid synthetic fabrics so my skin can breathe. Wool can make some sensitive skin itchier so best stick to cotton if you have experienced this in the past.
3. Soothing cream
If your toes are very itchy, a natural cream made with nettle, calendula and cooling aloe with reduce the inflammation and soothe the itch.
4. Circulation
In order to prevent chilblains it is recommended to improve circulation as well as avoid exposure to extreme temperatures by wearing warm socks and hats, staying out of the cold wind and exercising.
5. Dry brushing
Dry skin brushing before you shower every morning is a simple preventative measure. Dry brush with a natural bristle brush from your feet up (including your toes as long as they are not blistered), legs up, hands in and neck down towards the heart. Within a week your circulation should feel balanced.
6. Herbal teas
Drink herbal teas to assist circulation. Organic ginger root (one teaspoon of fresh or half a teaspoon dried), Hawthorn berry (one teaspoon), Cayenne powder (a pinch), Cinnamon quill (one crushed quill), Rosemary leaf (one teaspoon of fresh or half a teaspoon dried) and Black peppercorns (1/4 teaspoon) makes a delicious and warming tea. Steep all ingredients in teapot with 3 cups of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy as a warm cup of tea.
If you experience chilblains regularly and home remedies do not relieve them it is best to see your GP to rule out other underlying causes.
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