Frostbite

What is frostbite?

Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing. Most often, frostbite affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes, and can permanently damage the body, even leading to amputation in severe cases. The risk of frostbite is increased in persons with reduced blood circulation, those with constriction of blood flow because of gloves or boots that are too tight, and in persons not dressed for extremely cold temperatures. Exposed hands and feet are the most vulnerable.

What are the symptoms of frostbite?

The following are the most common symptoms of frostbite. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

redness or pain in a skin area
a white or grayish-yellow skin area
skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
numbness

In most cases, the victim is unaware of frostbite because the frozen tissues are numb. The symptoms of frostbite may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

What to do if frostbite occurs:

If there are symptoms of frostbite, seek medical attention immediately. Frostbite and hypothermia both result when skin is exposed to cold surroundings and body temperature falls. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

If frostbite occurs, protect the victim or yourself with the following recommendations:

Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
Cover the person or area in warm blankets.
Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes to avoid more serious damage.
Immerse the areas affected by frostbite into warm (not hot) water.
Warm the affected area using body heat.
Avoid rubbing or massaging the affected area as this can cause further damage.
Do not use anything hot, such as a heating pad, stove, or furnace, to warm the affected area, as these areas are numb and may burn easily due to a lack of sensation.
The frostbitten area should be gently washed, dried, and wrapped in sterile bandages and kept clean to avoid infection.
Consult your physician regarding the use of an oral antibiotic or topical ointment.

A frostbite condition is most often resolved over a period of weeks or months. Sometimes, however, surgery is later needed to remove the dead tissue.

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Non-Traumatic Emergencies

return to top of page