Chilblains are a very frequent problem of the foot in cooler environments. They are nearly unheard of in warmer climates. They are a painful reaction of the circulation in the toes after a foot is cold and is heated up too quickly. Due to this issue with the blood circulation not reacting, there's an inflamation related response resulting in small red-colored and itchy skin lesions on the toes. If the problem becomes more chronic the skin takes on a painful darker discolouration as the waste products increase.
The most effective management of chilblains is avoiding them. Initially, wear good hosiery and footwear so that the foot does not get too cool. In the event that the foot does become cold don't put it in from of the heat source so that it gets warm too quickly. The foot should be able to warm up slowly and gradually so the circulation has time to adjust to the alterations in temperature. Once a chilblain does develop it should be protected so that it will heal up, particularly if the skin is damaged. Keep it covered to protect it from damage from the shoe. Soothing chilblain creams may be used to stimulate the blood circulation and help remove the waste products which have built up in the skin which are causing the inflammation and congestion. Care must also be taken to protect against more chilblains developing, so the approaches that should be used to protect against them must be used even more. It is easy to get another one before the first one has healed up turning this into a chronic issue. If the local measures to take care of the chilblains do not help, there are some medicines a doctor can recommend that can be used to open up the circulation. The drugs are not specific to the feet and work everywhere, so may be restricted to the more serious cases. In the very most severe cases, it is not unusual that they can be given advice to relocate and live in warmer climates.