Health Tip
What is Frostbite
Frostbite
is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing and results in a
loss of feeling and color in affected areas. Frostbite most often affects
the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Severe cases of frostbite
can permanently damage the body and can lead to amputation.
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, you should get out of
the cold or protect any exposed skin because frostbite may be beginning. Signs
of frostbite include:
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If frostbite signs are evident but no signs of hypothermia are evident and immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
- Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on
frostbitten feet or toes because it increases the damage.
- Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot,
water. (The temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected
parts of the body.)
- Or, warm the affected area using body heat.
For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or
massage it al all since these actions can cause more damage.
- Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.
Jan. 20, 2005