chilblain

[ chil-bleyn ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture.

chilblain

/ ˈtʃɪlˌbleɪn /

noun

1. pathol usually plural an inflammation of the fingers, toes, or ears, caused by prolonged exposure to moisture and cold Technical namepernio

Derived Forms

• ˈchilˌblained, adjective

Other Words From

• chilblained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilblain¹

First recorded in 1540–50; chill + blain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilblain¹

C16: from chill (n) + blain

Example Sentences

I used to think chilblains were a kind of biscuit,

From Washington Post

A quick WebMD diagnosis revealed that I had chilblains, a rare condition associated with Raynaud's syndrome, which is a vascular disorder.

From Salon

Every winter we would develop painful chilblains on our fingers from the cold.

From Washington Post

With the link between COVID-19 and chilblains still in question, some researchers point to the lockdown theory—that people spent more time at home barefoot early in the pandemic and got cold feet, literally.

From Scientific American

Some people have observed the red or purple skin discoloration, known as pernio or chilblains, which can appear under the toe nails and has been called “covid toes.”

From Washington Post