Does soaking feet in ginger treat frostbite?

Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Soaking your feet in ginger water can effectively help improve chilblains and also achieve therapeutic effects, so it can be done daily. It is still necessary to keep warm and avoid getting cold, because if the condition is too severe, simply soaking your feet can be relatively slow. Foot soaking can only play a temporary role, so more attention is needed usually. You can soak your feet daily, maintaining the water temperature around 40°C. Moreover, the soaking time should generally be controlled between 15 to 30 minutes to effectively help improve the condition. If the chilblains are severe, some medications can be applied for treatment. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
43sec home-news-image

Can ginger be used to rub on frostbite?

If the skin is not broken or ruptured after suffering from frostbite, ginger can be used to rub the affected area. However, the effectiveness of using ginger is not particularly good. But if the skin affected by frostbite is clearly broken or ruptured, ginger should not be used. Using ginger in such cases can cause severe irritation to the affected skin, which may likely lead to a secondary bacterial infection. It is recommended for patients suffering from frostbite to use some ointments that help improve local circulation.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Do chilblains recur every year?

Chilblains are caused by the skin being in a low temperature environment. If chilblains occur, the likelihood of recurrence is very high, but it is not absolute. After experiencing chilblains once, if the environmental temperature is relatively low every year afterward and one does not keep warm sufficiently, it is basically possible for the chilblains to recur annually. However, if the climate temperature rises in subsequent years and one pays attention to keeping warm, it is also possible that chilblains will not reappear.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How to stop the itching from frostbite?

After suffering from frostbite, itching occurs mainly due to the stimulation of peripheral nerves causing an itchy sensation. Therefore, to relieve itching, one can apply some anti-itch creams such as frostbite cream. Saline, ginger, and soap can also be used to alleviate itching by promoting local skin blood circulation and constricting local blood vessels, thus having an anti-itch effect. After frostbite itches, one must not scratch, press, or touch cold water.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Is red, swollen, and itchy heel frostbite?

Let's talk about chilblains first, which can occur on various parts of the body. The most common cause is cold stimulation, such as redness and itching on the back of the heel, which may be due to occupational or other factors. The heel is often exposed and susceptible to cold, potentially leading to chilblains. This condition can be particularly troublesome but sometimes heals on its own as the weather warms up, though it is prone to recurrence. Treatment may require the use of vasodilators or traditional Chinese medicines that improve microcirculation and invigorate the blood. Regular physical exercise to boost immunity, avoiding cold exposure, and ensuring adequate warmth and dryness are important. Tight shoes and socks should be avoided, and it is not advisable to soak in hot water immediately after getting cold; instead, gradually increase the water temperature. If there is an open wound, appropriate ointments can be applied to promote healing, ensuring the area stays dry to prevent further chilblains. For example, soaking in water daily can be beneficial if there is no open wound, starting with water at 10°C, then increasing gradually to 20°C, and finally 30°C to gradually warm the area and improve blood circulation, aiding in recovery. Additionally, using ointments like chilblain cream can help improve the condition, but the area is still prone to reoccurrence if it gets cold again. Mainly, keeping the area warm and moist is crucial. For open wounds, regular disinfection with povidone-iodine and applying erythromycin ointment to prevent infection may be beneficial. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor to avoid inappropriate self-medication.)

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Frostbite is caused by how?

Chilblains is a condition many people have suffered from, especially prone to occur in winter. The main cause is due to poor cold resistance of the skin, coupled with low temperatures, which causes the peripheral skin blood vessels to constrict or spasm. This leads to local circulatory disturbances and tissue damage. Therefore, after developing chilblains, symptoms such as itching and pain are common, and it is essential to treat them promptly with medication.