Understanding Frostbite: the Dangers, Signs, Treatments, and Prevention Tactics

Posted: December 15, 2023 12:05 pm

The arrival of the bitterly cold Arctic air across much of the U.S. this week has put a spotlight on the dangers of frostbite. Here is what you need to know about this injury and how you can prevent it.

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite is a serious injury that happens when the skin and the underlying tissues freeze. While the earliest stages of frostbite do not lead to permanent damage, this condition left untreated can cause serious issues. Some of the severe complications of frostbite include pain, numbness, and increased sensitivity to the cold. In the most serious cases, amputation of the affected areas may be needed to remove the dead tissue.

Frostbite is most commonly found on the outer extremities of the body such as the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers, and toes. You are at a greater risk of frostbite if you are exposed to cold temperatures for long periods of time. This risk goes up if the cold temperatures are paired with gusty winds. In addition, those at a higher altitude are at an increased risk. Lastly, frostbite can also happen if the skin is exposed to direct contact with ice or extremely cold liquids.

Stages of Frostbite

Frostbite typically occurs over several stages, making it important that you recognize these different phases and catch it before it advances and becomes more serious. Frostnip is the first stage of this condition, resulting in numbness to the impacted areas. This mild type of frostbite causes numbness, tingling, and slight pain. Frostnip does not lead to permanent or serious damage to the skin.

You can treat frostnip at home by rewarming the impacted area in warm water for about 15 minutes. However you should not use hot water or heating pads as these can cause burns.

The second stage of the progression is known as superficial frostbite. During this stage, you may notice a slight change to the color of the skin. Skin that starts to feel warm is a sign that the frostbite is setting in deeper. You may begin to notice that skin appears mottled if you attempt to warm it up. Other signs of superficial frostbite include stinging, swelling, or burning of the skin. Some sufferers notice the appearance of a blister filled with fluid approximately 12 to 36 hours after the skin warms.

It is important to contact a healthcare provider if you suspect that you have progressed to this stage of frostbite. A medical care professional will work to rewarm the area in addition to providing pain medication to deal with the discomfort that will happen as the skin begins to warm up again. Your doctor may also give you intravenous (IV) fluids to ensure proper hydration. Should you experience blisters, you may need to have them professionally drained and treated with antibiotics to prevent further infection.

Deep frostbite is the last stage, indicating that the condition has impacted all of the layers of the skin in addition to the tissue lying below the surface. During this serious stage, the skin begins to turn white or gray. Because you lose all feeling in the skin, you may not even notice the frostbite. The muscles and joints surrounding the impacted skin may stop working. By the time that blisters begin to form 24 hours later, it may be too late to save the skin and tissue. A blackening and hardening of the tissue happens as it dies.

This last stage of frostbite necessitates immediate medical attention. In addition to the standard course of treatment of rewarming, pain medication, and IV fluids, the doctor may need to prescribe a clot-busting medication. This treatment will boost blood flow to the impacted area and mitigate the odds of dangerous blood clots.

It is likely that your doctor will want to see you again in a few weeks to assess the permanent damage. In the most severe cases, you may need to undergo surgery or amputation.

Preventing Frostbite

The good news is that you can prevent frostbite entirely with some common sense precautions.

• Limit Time Outdoors – The easiest way to prevent frostbite is to simply limit time outside in frigid weather. Remember that wind can exacerbate the risk further. Staying abreast of your local weather during the winter months can go a long way in helping you to be prepared.
  
• Dress Appropriately – If you must be outside during cold conditions, be sure to dress appropriately. This means wearing several layers of loose and warm clothing that guard against moisture and wind.. For instance, choose clothing that is designed to wick moisture away from the surface of the skin. Be sure to change out of your clothes as soon as possible if they get wet.
  
• Do Not Neglect the Head and Hands- You will also need to take care to protect the vulnerable extremities of the head by wearing a hat or headband. Do not forget to cover the ears as well. Experts recommend protecting the hands with mittens instead of gloves.
  
• Guarding the Feet – Frostbite is extremely common on the toes, making it important that you guard the feet appropriately. The right type of sock and sock liners are essential pieces of clothing to wick moisture and insulate the toes. You can also consider using foot warmers inside your footwear.
  
• Know the Signs – Knowing the initial signs of frostbite will help you to spot potential issues and take action.
  
• Nourish the Body – You are more likely to suffer from frostbite if you have not been nourishing your body appropriately. For instance, drinking alcohol can cause the body to lose heat more quickly, putting you at an increased risk of developing frostbite. Staying hydrated and eating healthy meals will also help your body to perform more efficiently.
  
• Get Moving – Exercise also works to keep the blood flowing, keeping the body warmer and less likely to suffer from frostbite.

Understanding all of this information and taking the appropriate action will help you to avoid frostbite if you live in a cold climate.

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