From the Research
Topical corticosteroid creams are not recommended for treating chilblain lesions due to lack of efficacy, as shown in the most recent and highest quality study 1. The study, published in 2017, found that topical betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream was not superior to placebo in treating chronic chilblains, with no significant difference in patient-reported complaints or disability. Some key points to consider when treating chilblains include:
- Protection from cold exposure
- Maintaining good circulation through warm clothing
- Avoiding smoking
- Medical consultation if symptoms worsen or do not improve within two weeks Other treatments, such as nifedipine, have also been shown to be no more effective than placebo in treating chronic chilblains 2. Vitamin D3 has also been studied as a potential treatment, but was found to be no more effective than placebo 3. The 2014 study 4 provides some insight into the diagnosis and treatment of chilblains, but does not provide strong evidence for the use of topical corticosteroid creams. The 2003 study 5 compares the efficacy of diltiazem and nifedipine in treating chilblains, but is not directly relevant to the question of topical corticosteroid cream efficacy.