Chilblains are what is called a non-freezing cold injury. It's a condition that happens in the cold temperatures but isn't a freezing cold problem such as frostbite. They are an abnormal response of the small arteries in the toes to a difference in temperature coming from cold temperatures to warmer. Usually when the foot is cooler, the blood vessels close up to conserve heat. Typically when the foot is warmed up those arteries should open up to improve circulation to the skin. With a chilblain the blood vessels remain closed up for a extended period of time and then eventually and abruptly open up. This causes an inflammatory reaction that triggers a painful red region on the foot. After a couple of days waste products accumulate in the skin and the colour changes to a darkish blue colour. They usually are rather painful.
The obvious way to manage a chilblain is to not get one to start with. You do this by not really permitting the foot to get cold using comfortable socks and protective shoes. In the event the foot may get cold, then it's vital that you give time to warm up slowing to give the circulation a chance to react to that warming up. It's the too fast heating of the epidermis that is the problem in a chilblain. If a chilblain does develop, then it has to be covered. Very good warm hosiery along with footwear needs to be worn. Applying a chilblain cream to massage them supports the arteries and helps with eliminating those waste material that have built up. If your skin gets broken, then good dressing with antiseptics really need to be used and kept getting used until it heals as there is a high risk for an infection. It is next vital that you avoid any additional chilblains occuring in succeeding days otherwise there is a good chance that this results in being a persistent issue.