Engelures

Chilblain is an erytrocyanosis lesion of the lower limb extremities, associated with pruritus and scraping when warming. This disorder is characterized by its occurrence after exposure to moderate damp cold, its regression in 2 or 3 weeks, and relapses during wintertime. More often it concerns slim young women, but can be seen at all ages, even in older men. Clinic appearance greatly varies. In 50% of the cases, mother heredity is observed; acroyanosis occurs in 45%, and Raynaud's disease in 32% of the cases. Chilblain is benign in 60% of the patients, disabling in 34%, and ulcerate in 7%. The biological, paraclinical investigations, the main differential diagnosis, the lupus erythematosus, and the therapeutic management are reviewed, according to the disease severity.