Chilblain

/ˈtʃɪlbleɪn/ noun

Definition

A painful inflammation of skin and tissue caused by exposure to extreme cold followed by rapid warming, usually affecting fingers and toes.

Etymology

From Middle English 'chil' (chill/cold) and 'blain' (blister/sore), combining two Old English/Germanic roots to describe the painful blistering condition caused by cold injury.

Kelly Says

Chilblains were historically so common among soldiers and poor people that Shakespeare mentions them—climate change and modern heating have made them rare in developed countries, but they're resurging as people spend more time outdoors in extreme climates.

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