Tegegnie Alemu Bezabih, Alene Tamiru, Sineshaw Meaza Molla
Department of Dermatovenereology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Mar 18;12:1564283. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1564283. eCollection 2025.
Idiopathic chilblains are inflammatory lesions on the skin that typically appear after being in a cold, wet environment. The condition manifests itself as burning, soreness, and pruritis in the extremities (fingers and toes), usually occurring 12 to 24 h following a triggering event. Conservative measures are the mainstay of treatment for idiopathic chilblain; however pharmaceutical therapy may be necessary in cases that are severe or persistent. This is the only case series in Ethiopia concerning idiopathic chilblain.
From June to August of 2024, 12 individuals in the dermatology department of Injibara General Hospital in Ethiopia were diagnosed with idiopathic chilblain. Nine (or 75%) of these patients were women. This study's mean age at diagnosis was 23.2 years (range: 3-55 years). All cases presented with itching sensations and/or pain. Only a few patients presented with swelling and color change during cold exposure. One patient presented with ulceration involving the tip of the digits. Most patients were prescribed clobetasol propionat and oral nifedipine. Others were treated with only topical corticosteroids, and few refused any medical treatment. All patients were counseled to avoid cold and keep extremities warm. Only one patient has persistent disease and the rest have completely improved.
According to the current study, young women were the group most frequently impacted by idiopathic chilblain. Idiopathic chilblain in Ethiopia is underreported, necessitating comprehensive studies involving larger patient numbers and a focus on prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial impact.
特发性冻疮是皮肤上的炎性病变，通常在处于寒冷、潮湿环境后出现。该病表现为四肢（手指和脚趾）灼痛、酸痛和瘙痒，通常在触发事件发生后12至24小时出现。保守治疗是特发性冻疮的主要治疗方法；然而，在严重或持续的病例中可能需要药物治疗。这是埃塞俄比亚关于特发性冻疮的唯一病例系列。
2024年6月至8月，埃塞俄比亚因吉巴拉综合医院皮肤科的12人被诊断为特发性冻疮。其中9名（或75%）患者为女性。本研究的诊断平均年龄为23.2岁（范围：3至55岁）。所有病例均有瘙痒感和/或疼痛。只有少数患者在冷暴露期间出现肿胀和颜色变化。一名患者出现指尖溃疡。大多数患者被开了丙酸氯倍他索和口服硝苯地平。其他患者仅接受局部皮质类固醇治疗，少数患者拒绝任何药物治疗。所有患者均被告知避免寒冷并保持四肢温暖。只有一名患者病情持续，其余患者已完全康复。
根据目前的研究，年轻女性是最常受特发性冻疮影响的群体。埃塞俄比亚特发性冻疮的报告不足，需要开展涉及更多患者数量的综合研究，并关注患病率、诊断、治疗和社会心理影响。
