title: The treatment of chilblains with nifedipine: the results of a pilot study, a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study and a long-term open trial.
abstract: A pilot study, a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised study and a long term open trial have indicated that nifedipine is effective in the treatment of perniosis. At a dose of 20 mg to 60 mg daily, nifedipine significantly reduced the time to clearance of existing lesions and prevented the development of new chilblains. Nifedipine also reduced the pain, soreness and irritation of the lesions. A comparison of the pre- and post-treatment skin biopsies showed resolution of the dermal oedema and diminution of the perivascular infiltrate. An increase in cutaneous blood flow following administration of nifedipine suggests that the vasodilator action of this drug may be important in its action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Middlesex Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rustin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dowd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002647:Chilblains / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005627:Frostbite / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D009543:Nifedipine