During the winter months, it is a good idea to practice proactive frostbite awareness. Frostbite—a condition in which cold weather causes your extremities to freeze and become numb—can cause severe injury. In extreme cases, amputation may be necessary.
Below, we describe the symptoms, what to do in case someone in your household contracts frostbite and how to prevent it from occurring.
Symptoms
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are 3 primary symptoms of frostbite:
1) Numbness;
2) Changes to skin color, where affected areas may become noticeably white or grayish-yellow;
3) Changes to the feel or skin, where affected areas are “unusually firm or waxy” to the touch.
The most commonly affected areas are fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin.
It is important to note that people who are getting frostbite often don’t notice because their extremities are numb. Since being out in cold weather frequently causes our hands or feet to feel a bit numb, vigilance is required so chilly hands, feet, and face don’t become frostbitten.
Treatment
If you suspect that you or a loved one have frostbite, seek medical attention immediately, through your doctor or an emergency room.
If this is not immediately possible, get the affected person into a warm area. Immerse the affected area in warm water. Note that the water should not be hot. Your goal is to warm and to restore circulation.
If there is no warm water, you can use body heat from one area to warm an affected area (underneath your arm, say, to warm fingers). Do not walk if you toes are affected; it can cause damage.
Also important: do not massage the affected area; it can cause damage to the tissues. Do not place the affected person next to a fire or heater; because of the numbness, they will not be able to feel if it is too hot.
Prevention
Frostbite is very preventable using basic winter weather guidelines. Always dress appropriately for the weather and the forecast: cover your head in a wool hat, and your hands and feet in warm mittens and socks. Dress in layers. Wear a warm winter-weight coat.
A winter safety kit for your car should include warm blankets and extra socks and gloves in case an accident leaves you on the side of the road in freezing weather.
Pay attention to weather forecasts. If heavy snow and freezing temperatures are expected, it might be wise to put off travel.
