Chilblains

My 15 year old daughter suffers chillblains on her hands. The itching is very irritating and the swelling in the fingers uncomfortable. What can we do?

Thomas Bartram, in "Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" describes chillblains as "spasms of the surface blood vessels, with inflammation, due to exposure to cold", possibly resulting from calcium deficiency. You may need to consult with a natural health practitioner to discover the root cuse of your daughter's problem.
Immediate treatment for relief would be aimed at dilating the blood vessels and improving blood circulation. Internally ginger tea improves general circulation and prickly ash tincture improves peripheral circulation (to the fingers). Externally, you can use a capsicum (hot pepper) cream (available in pharmacies and health food stores) on the affected area.
Bartram suggests supplements of calcium, vitamin B-complex and vitamin E.