Frostbite

What is Frostbite?
Frostbite occurs when skin and the underlying tissues freeze. It typically affects extremities like fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin.

Frostnip is the early stage (irritation but no permanent damage).
Frostbite is the advanced stage (tissue freezes and may die).

Stages & Symptoms

Frostbite progresses in three stages. Because the area becomes numb, you may not realize you have it until someone else points it out.

1. Frostnip (Mild)

• Appearance: Skin turns red and feels very cold.
• Sensation: Prickling and numbness.
• Outcome: No permanent damage. Pain and tingling occur as it warms up.

2. Superficial Frostbite

• Appearance: Reddened skin turns white or pale.
• Sensation: Skin may feel deceptively warm (a bad sign).
• Outcome: Fluid-filled blisters may appear 24 hours after rewarming.

3. Severe (Deep) Frostbite

• Appearance: Skin turns white, blue, or blotchy. Eventually, it turns black and hard as tissue dies (gangrene).
• Sensation: Complete loss of sensation (numbness). Muscles and joints may stop working.
• Outcome: Permanent tissue damage. Large blisters form.

First Aid: What to Do

Immediate action is required to save the tissue.

• Get out of the cold: Once indoors, remove wet clothes.
• Warm Gently: Soak the area in warm water (104 to 107.6°F / 40 to 42°C). If water isn't available, tuck hands into armpits.
• Do Not Walk: If feet are frostbitten, avoid walking as it damages the tissue further.

⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY WARNINGS

• DO NOT Rub: Never rub frostbitten skin or use snow on it. Friction kills the frozen tissue.
• DO NOT Use Direct Heat: Do not use a stove, fireplace, or heating pad. Numb skin cannot feel heat and will burn severely.
• DO NOT Refreeze: If there is a chance the area will freeze again, do not thaw it yet. Thawing and refreezing causes the worst damage.

Causes

Frostbite is caused by freezing weather or direct contact with ice/freezing metals.

• Hypothermia Link: When your body temperature drops, the body cuts blood flow to extremities (hands/feet) to keep the heart and lungs warm. This lack of blood flow allows the extremities to freeze.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol causes the body to lose heat faster and impairs your judgment of the cold.

Medical Treatment

If the frostbite is severe (white/hard skin, blisters), seek emergency care.

• Rewarming: Doctors use a warm water bath to thaw the tissue. This is often painful, so pain medication is given.
• Debridement: Removal of dead tissue. Doctors may wait 1-3 months to see what tissue heals before removing anything.
• Surgery/Amputation: In severe cases of gangrene, amputation may be necessary to prevent infection from spreading.
• Thrombolytics: Clot-busting drugs (TPA) may be used within 24 hours to improve blood flow and save the limb.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.