Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It happens mostly on the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and in severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.
Here’s how to dress warmly and stay dry for both growth-ups and kids:
- Put on several inner layers of loose-fitting clothing with a wind-resistant, tightly-woven outer coat. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.
- Wear a hat and protect the face mouth with a scarf or knit mask
- Use mittens for they are warmer than gloves
- Put on water-resistant coat and boots
- Make sure your sleeves snug at the wrist, leaving no exposed skin between the mitten and sleeves
- Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials will cause the skin to loss more heat from the body. Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat.
The first signs of redness or pain in any skin area may be the beginning of frostbite. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite: a white or grayish-yellow skin area, an unusually firm or waxy feeling and numbness.
If you can’t get help immediately, warm the center of the body first — chest, neck, head, and groin. Use an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
If you can’t get help right away, seek a warm place. Immerse the affected area in warm water (that is comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). Don’t use hot water. Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. Don’t rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it. This 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.
Source: Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chapter: Home and Living :: 20 January 2009
