Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. It occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to exposure to cold-weather conditions. Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but it is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin. The symptoms of frostbite usually begin with the affected parts feeling cold and painful, followed by numbness and inflamed or discolored skin. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include:
- Cold skin and a prickling feeling
- Numbness
- Skin that looks red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow, purplish, brown, or ashen, depending on the severity of the condition and usual skin color
- Hard or waxy-looking skin
- Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness
- Blisters after rewarming, in severe cases
Frostbite occurs in several stages, including frostnip, superficial frostbite, deep frostbite, and severe deep frostbite. Frostnip is the earliest stage of frostbite, and there is no permanent damage to the skin. Superficial frostbite affects the skin and underlying tissues, while deep frostbite affects the muscles, tendons, and bones. Severe deep frostbite is the most advanced stage of frostbite and can lead to permanent tissue damage.
If you think you or someone else may have frostbite, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Until medical help arrives, you can take the following steps:
- Move to a warm place
- Remove wet clothing
- Protect the affected area from further cold
- Do not walk on frostbitten feet
- Reduce pain with a pain reliever
It is important to start rewarming the skin right away, but this should be done slowly and with wet heat. Do not use heat lamps, heating pads, or electric heaters, as these can burn the skin. ...
