sonical (Kalamata Greece) on 05/24/2025
After trying various creams, ointments, and advice (some helpful, some not), I stumbled on a surprisingly effective, simple remedy — using celery leaves and bark.
Here's what I do:
I boil a handful of celery leaves and bark in water for 10–15 minutes. Let the liquid cool until it's warm, but still as hot as the skin can safely take. I then soak my hands in the solution for about 5 minutes.
That’s it. The itching stops almost immediately, and the swelling settles not long after. It’s become my go-to winter treatment, and it has worked reliably for years.
‘Why might it work? Celery is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, and the warmth itself helps reopen constricted blood vessels, easing the worst of the symptoms. Whether it’s the plant, the heat, or a bit of both — it works. And it's gentle, with no side effects I’ve seen. So, if your hands suffer like mine do in the cold, give it a try. It’s safe, natural, and already in your kitchen. Wishing warm hands to all who need them.
Rob (Kentucky) on 01/09/2025
From the book: Medical Council – A Monthly Journal for the Physican and Surgeon. Volume 15, p. 59. 1910
TO THE MEDICAL COUNCIL: For frozen feet or chilblains, slice up some raw potatoes, sprinkle salt over them, let stand twelve hours, and bathe the parts with the brine formed by the salt with the water exuding from the potatoes. It is simple, but has been very successful in my hands.
W. G. PEIRSOL, M.D. Avon, Ill
Potato and Salt. Like onion juice, potato juice is also very rich in nutrients and these nutrients help the body in getting relief from the damaged blood vessels. The juice also helps in reducing the itching and inflammation from the skin. You can apply the juice 3 to 4 times in a day for best results.
Make a potato poultice and add salt, apply it on the affected area. This formula is great to get relief from swelling, redness and itching.
Potato water. Potatoes contain a variety of nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial to the body and good for the skin. Potato can help reduce the itching and inflammation caused by chilblains due to its anti-irritant and soothing properties. It is also effective in treating blisters that may develop with chilblains. Boil 1 or 2 potatoes in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the solution to cool down and wash area with water.
Rob (Kentucky) on 09/11/2024
A common remedy for chilblains among the peasants in Russia is the rind of perfectly ripe cucumbers, dried with the soft parts attached, and placed with the inner side, previously soaked in warm water, over the sore parts. Dumitriefsky confirms the efficacy of this remedy. (Med. Zeitung.) From the book: A Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts: And Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufacturing and Trades 2nd Ed. Page 249,1845 by Arnold James Cooley.
In otherwords, a cucumber poultice: Before going to bed. Peel a cucumber and apply the inside peel to the area overnite.
Rob (Kentucky) on 03/30/2024
Lemon for Chilblains - BANISH THOSE CHILBLAINS - Chronicle (Adelaide SA 1895 - 1954) - 15 May 1930 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90055490
I have found that mixing lemon juice with Aloe vera gel “fresh” or Glycerin 1:1 ratio applied 2x daily for a week works great (see article below). Or, You can apply lemon juice “undiluted” directly to the affected part of skin few times in a day.
Lemon and Glycerin for Chilblains - HOW TO CURE CHILBLAINS. - The Lilydale Express and Yarra Glen Wandin Yallock Upper Yarra Healesville and Ringwood Chronicle (Vic. 1898 - 1914) - 21 Jun 1912
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/258396902
Cashew (London, UK) on 03/22/2024
However, more recently, in cold weather, that hand is still turning red but sometimes purple. Once my hand warms up the colour disappears. Is this something I should be worried about?
Rob (Kentucky) on 02/07/2024
“A simple and homely remedy, which immediately relieves the irritation and pain caused by chilblains, is salt and fresh apple juice.
The affected parts are rubbed gently with a slice of apple dipped in common salt. A good juicy apple should be used.”
From the Book: Table Talk, Volume 29, Issue 1, page 43,1914
Rob (Kentucky) on 01/06/2024
Note: A camel-hair brush is a type of paintbrush with soft bristles made from natural hairs, usually squirrel. Actual camel hair is not a suitable material.
Rob (Kentucky) on 05/25/2021
Give this a try. It worked for me. This remedy also works on toe nail fungus. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to eliminate fungi causing chilblains and add O2 to the blood stream in the toes.
Fold down a paper towel or napkin just enuff to cover your toenails completely, top, sides and bottom. Then place napkin in a bowl and saturate the napkin with 3% H2O2 brown bottle. Wrap the napkin over your toes, top and bottom. Tuck and fold the sides of the napkin and put a recycled bread bag over your foot (I tried using plastic-wrap but it leaked everywhere and soaked the socks). Then put on an old sock to keep everything in place. This way you can move around the house freely.
You will need to do this for a few hours or over-nite, everyday for 10-14 days.
Don't forget to change and clean all your socks, sandals & shoes or at least pour ACV in your shoes every time if you suspect fungal infection.
Source of idea: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/fungus8.html#h2o2_190829
Sarah (Arkansas) on 02/05/2018
Deb W. (Wisconsin) on 11/09/2016
Trish (Whanagui, New Zealand ) on 07/21/2015
Christian (South Australia) on 06/19/2014
Mary (Utica, Ny) on 03/30/2014
Joey L (Oxford, Uk) on 03/29/2013
Selica Gel. The packets you get when you buy new items, to keep them dry. Put some in your socks and wear them. This has gotten me through a working day on my feet without aggravating the soreness, and I believe it helps clear up the condition from keeping the feet from getting too humid/wet.
Lanna (Wichita, Kansas) on 02/01/2013
As I was searching for ideas to help him I came across somebody who mentioned that years ago they were given vitamin K tablets by their doctor and it had cleared it up. I googled "chilblains and vitamin K" and came across an article from 1947 on the NIH website that claimed success with vitamin K. At this point I figured I had nothing to lose - my son's toes were looking quite bad and he was miserable - and there wasn't much the doctor could do.
I happened to have a store brand of Advanced K2 Complex capsules on hand. I gave the first dose before bedtime that night and then did two doses a day after that. By that afternoon he was up and walking. Still a little tender, but the swelling had gone down and obviously the pain was much improved. We are now on day three and he is almost back to normal. I was so happy to see these results that I had to share.
Wednesday (Tokyo, Japan) on 01/12/2013
Miss (Edinburgh, Scotland) on 12/18/2012
I am so happy with the result. I'd tried all sorts of other things prior to this - with no result at all.
Christine (Nottingham, England) on 02/10/2012
Arietta (Chania, Crete, Greece) on 01/11/2012
Bill (Gisborne, New Zealand) on 07/21/2011
