If you're someone who suffers from cold feet (literally) and finds solace in scorching hot showers, you may have unknowingly invited a sneaky little skin condition into your life—chilblains. Those red, itchy, sometimes painful bumps that show up on your toes during the colder months? Yep, that’s them. Welcome to the club! As a fellow sufferer, I’ve learned a lot about how to manage them—and even better, how to avoid flare-ups altogether.

Let’s dive in.

What Are Chilblains?

Chilblains (also known by the much fancier name pernio) are small, itchy, swollen red or purple patches that develop on the skin when it’s exposed to sudden temperature changes—especially cold followed by heat.

When your cold feet are suddenly exposed to intense warmth (like piping hot showers, electric blankets or heaters), the blood vessels in your toes can’t quite keep up with the temperature shift. The result? Inflammation, discomfort, and skin that feels like it’s throwing a tantrum.

They most commonly show up around the toes, heels, fingers, or ears—basically, all the bits most prone to getting cold.

How to Manage & Prevent Chilblains

The goal is simple: avoid drastic temperature changes and keep the circulation flowing. Easier said than done, right? Here are a few tried-and-tested tips that help:

1. Warm Up Gently

Resist the urge to jump straight into a hot bath or put your icy toes on the heater. Instead, try warming up gradually with cozy socks, gentle foot soaks, or a warm (not hot!) shower.

2. Layer Up Smart

Thermal socks, sheepskin-lined slippers, and breathable shoes are your best friends during winter. Keeping your feet warm but not sweaty helps prevent the sudden cold-to-hot reaction that triggers chilblains.

3. Boost Circulation

Move your feet regularly—wiggle those toes, go for walks, or treat yourself to a gentle massage. Good circulation is key to prevention.

4. Treat and Soothe the Skin

When chilblains do appear, it’s all about calming the inflammation and supporting skin repair. This is where our in-salon favourite comes in:

Footlogix Cold Feet Mousse: Our Winter Hero!!

We love using Footlogix’s Cold Feet Mousse to support clients who suffer from poor circulation and chilblain-prone skin. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and formulated to warm and nourish cold, dry skin without irritating already sensitive areas.

Not only does it boost microcirculation, but it also hydrates without suffocating the skin—an absolute win when your toes are feeling tender.

Whether you’re mid-chilblain outbreak or simply trying to avoid one, this mousse has earned its spot on our winter wellness shelf.

Chilblains are a common winter woe for those of us with cold extremities, but with a little knowledge and the right care (hello, Footlogix!), they don’t have to ruin your season. Treat your toes kindly—warm them gently, keep them cozy, and don’t skip your self-care rituals.

And if you need a little extra TLC? Book in for one of our winter foot treatments. We’ll pamper your feet while giving you the tools to manage chilblains the right way.

Stay warm—just not too warm, okay?

With love (and fluffy socks),
Bec x
The Self Care Society Spa