Red/Swollen Toes

For the past few years every winter my toes get really red and swell.  They swell to the point I can not bend them.  It's just the tip of my toes.  Sometimes they'll get a bluish hue to them.  This year it is really bad.  I can barely wear shoes and boots are out of the question.  I was looking onlin and found something called chilblains.  It sounded like what I have and the pictures look like my toes.  I made an appointment with my dermatologist but can't get in until next week.  Does any one have any suggestions on how to relieve the pain/itching?  I know it's important to keep my toes warm, but is there anything I can put on them to relieve the uncomfortableness?  Thanks!

[FrankieBee]

Hi,

Have you had any solution to yor problem. I have the exact thing and will like to know.

Thanks
Frank

[bulahula]

I've had this reoccuring problem for 3 winters now.  The first winter, I went to the Podiatrist and he said "hmmmm, I don't know, maybe frostbite"? When it happened again last year, I went back to him and he said he didn't know what it was.

Well, a month ago, I got it again.  I went and saw my MD and he took one look and said "Raynaud's Phenomenon".  So, after some researching, I found out that Raynaud's is a vascular related situation along with a reaction to the cold combined with stress.  Makes sense now.

So you can either have the Phenonmenon or the Syndrome. Phenonenen is when it is not associated with any other disease/disorder.  Syndrome is when it is associated with another condition like Lupus or RA.  Hope this helps.