Q I've got painful and itchy skin – help me please?

A. If you have been out in the cold, it is likely that you have Chilblains.

Chilblains are small, itchy, red patches that can appear after you have been in the cold. They usually clear up on their own.

Chilblains usually appear a few hours after you have been in the cold.

You mostly get them on your fingers and toes.

But you can get them on your face and legs, too.

They can make your skin feel very itchy or like it's burning, and your fingers or toes may become red or swollen

Chilblains usually go away on their own in 2 to 3 weeks.

However there are some things you can try to get rid of them yourself, and to stop them coming back.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain, try to avoid being outside when it's cold or damp if you suffer from chilblains, and wear warm, waterproof clothing, gloves and thick socks if you do go out when it's cold or damp.

But it's really important not to put your feet or hands on a radiator or under hot water to warm them up.

Do not smoke or have drinks that have caffeine in them – this can affect the flow of blood in your fingers and toes, and don’t scratch or pick at your skin.

You can ask a pharmacist about the best painkiller to take, and whether they can recommend any creams that can help to soothe the itching.