Frostbite injuries are common and develop rapidly when temperatures drop below freezing. Although it often occurs in a mild form, frostbite can lead to severe, even permanent, damage if left untreated. It is much easier to take care of this ailment when it is in the early stages, so pay attention to the early symptoms and learn to recognize them, to prevent yourself or others from being mutilated by this painful injury.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Early Freezing Symptoms
Step 1. Check the areas of exposed skin
The first sign of frostbite is obvious and appears as a nagging or painful redness.
- Look for areas where the skin is yellowish-gray, numb to touch, or has a strangely waxy or firm texture.
- In severe cases, the epidermis may be blue, mottled or blotchy.
Step 2. Know that frostbite injuries can easily go unnoticed
Inspect all exposed parts of your body and those of the people around you when you are outdoors and in the cold.
- Many people try to "put up with" the symptoms because they don't seem serious at first.
- Check periodically with all other companions every 10 to 20 minutes by observing each other and communicating your conditions.
Step 3. Don't ignore a constant itching or burning sensation
While they may seem harmless, these annoyances can actually be an early sign of freezing. Pay attention to any abnormal physical sensation.
- Specifically, watch for any mild tingling that progresses to numbness. Again, it could be a freeze taking place.
- Sudden flushes and the feeling that blood rushes to the extremities are signs that the body is trying to fight the cold. however, the body is losing the ability to warm the extremities sufficiently.
Step 4. Recognize the initial symptoms
There are several signs that warn you of an ongoing frostbite before serious consequences develop. Superficial chilblains can only damage the epidermis, while a more severe injury can cause irreversible deterioration of the nerves and tissues underlying the skin.
- By recognizing the frostbite early, you will be able to prevent the victim from getting permanent injuries.
- In particular, pay attention to the development of skin areas that are red, cold to the touch or irritated.
Step 5. Check for the presence of gelonic erythema
This term indicates the initial phase of chilblains, when the skin begins to become white and numb; this symptom precedes the more dangerous degrees of the injury.
- Gelonic rash typically occurs on the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers and toes.
- While not dangerous, this skin change indicates that the victim's tissues are starting to feel the effects of the cold and that the person needs to be returned to a warm environment immediately.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing Freezing and Taking Action
Step 1. Check carefully for any signs of deterioration
You can recognize superficial chilblains because the reddened skin turns white and pale. Although it still has a soft texture, the skin begins to be invaded by ice crystals. You may notice bubbles forming as the situation escalates.
- Paradoxically, the skin begins to feel warm. This is actually a sign that the victim is about to suffer from a dangerous frostbite.
- You need to be extremely alert to any symptoms beyond a gelonic erythema, as they indicate the development of a permanent lesion.
- Loss of painful or uncomfortable sensation is an extremely serious warning.
- Blackened and hardened skin is synonymous with irreversible damage that has affected the skin and possibly some of the underlying tissues.
Step 2. Treat frostbite as quickly as possible
This wikiHow article describes how to determine the severity of a frostbite, provides specific instructions for safely heating the area, and for seeking professional help.
- Get the victim out of the cold.
- Ideally, you should transport her to the hospital for proper medical treatment.
Step 3. Warm the area carefully
Do not allow the part of the body affected by a potential frostbite to be heated and then exposed to the cold again. The constant changes in temperature can damage the skin, nerves and surrounding tissues.
- The safest way to warm chilblains-affected fingers if you are outdoors is to use body heat. For example, put your fingers under your armpits, but only if this does not expose any other skin surface to the cold.
- If you can raise the temperature of the affected area without the risk of it getting cold again, you can proceed with hot water.
- Whenever possible, try to warm the affected body part very quickly, because the longer it stays frozen, the greater the permanent damage.
Step 4. Warm the wound by soaking it in warm water
The water should be warm to the touch with a temperature as close as possible to 40 ° C.
- Administer painkillers. You can use ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin.
- If you are forced to delay the thawing or heating process, try to clean, dry and protect the injured area, preferably with a sterile bandage.
Step 5. Know what you shouldn't do in case of a freeze
As you consider whether it is actually chilblains, remember that there are some precautions to follow to reduce the potential damage to any part of the body.
- Do not use any artificial sources of heat (such as a warmer, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, or radiator), as numb areas affected by chilblains are easily burned.
- Do not walk if your feet or toes are affected by chilblains. Unless absolutely necessary to protect yourself from the cold, do not risk further damage to the frozen tissues of the lower extremities.
- Do not touch the broken skin. If you massage the area, you only make the situation worse.
- Do not rub the skin with snow. Although some chilblains sufferers are tempted to reduce the pain by rubbing the affected area with snow, avoid this, as further exposure to the cold creates more damage.
- Do not break the blisters as the lesion would become susceptible to infection.
Step 6. Monitor victims for signs of hypothermia
As this is another very dangerous complication, you need to check that it does not develop in any person affected by chilblains.
- If you believe someone is hypothermic, call for help immediately.
- The signs and symptoms of this condition include chills, aphasia, sleepiness, and loss of coordination.
Step 7. Know that the burning sensation and edema may persist
The victim may show signs of frostbite even weeks after the accident.
- A black crust can form after exposure to freezing.
- Blisters may also develop after warming the area and even when the victim appears to have recovered.
- If these symptoms progress, don't assume they will go away, but go to the emergency room.
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Freezing
Step 1. Prepare for the cold
Prevention is the safest and most effective way to avoid frostbite injuries. Before staying in unfamiliar places for a long time, take some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and make sure you have all the right equipment.
- Freezing can occur within a few minutes while being exposed to temperatures below 0 ° C. However, it can also manifest itself at higher temperatures when there are very strong winds, humidity or you are at high altitudes.
- Prepare your house and car with a cold-weather survival kit that also includes warm clothing.
Step 2. Act cautiously and always be vigilant
The attention you pay to your behavior and your surroundings is a great help in avoiding frostbite.
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol or caffeine in freezing weather, as this increases your chances of suffering from cold injuries.
- Do not hold parts of the body in a certain position for long periods.
- Remember that 90% of frostbite cases involve hands and feet. Get dressed and check your body accordingly, check that the entire skin surface is covered and that gloves, mittens and boots protect you adequately.
- When it's cold, always cover your head and ears. 30% of body heat is lost from the head.
- Stay dry. Wet clothes accelerate heat loss.
- Do not go out in the cold immediately after taking a bath or shower. Make sure your skin and hair are completely dry before facing low temperatures.
Step 3. Dress appropriately
In addition to the cold, you need to protect yourself from wind and humidity. Wear warm clothes, especially use fabrics such as wool, polypropylene and fleece. Remember to dress in layers when you have to stay in a freezing environment, especially if for long periods.
- The first layer should consist of clothing that wicks moisture away from the skin. Thermal underwear, cotton socks and under gloves are simple and effective solutions.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing that can obstruct blood circulation.
- When it's very cold, put on two pairs of socks.
- For the second layer, choose soft garments that allow you to maintain body temperature. Because they are not snug, they can trap pockets of air that insulate the body from the cold. Choose fabrics that don't retain moisture. Heavy pants and sweatshirts are perfect for this purpose.
- As a third layer, choose garments made of thick, water-repellent and weather-resistant fabric. Jackets, hats, scarves, mittens and boots are indispensable in cold weather.
- Mittens are better than normal gloves because they expose a smaller area to the cold. If you need to take them off for manual work, remember to wear gloves underneath them.
- Bring extra clothes with you when you know you'll need to be outdoors for a long time, especially when hiking or in areas away from heated shelters. If your clothes get wet, change them to dry ones right away.
Step 4. Be aware of the risk factors that can increase the chances of frostbite
Knowing which people are most prone to this injury, you can quickly notice chilblains before they become very serious. Conditions that increase the risk of cold-related injuries are:
- Age: Younger and older people are particularly prone to frostbite damage. Specifically monitor young individuals;
- Inebriation: it is never a good idea to be drunk in a freezing environment;
- Exhaustion, hunger, malnutrition or dehydration
- Being homeless or being unable to constantly access a safe haven;
- Other serious injuries, including skin damage;
- Have already suffered from frost damage;
- Depression: Some mental illnesses contribute to an increased risk. People who are discouraged or not in tune with their body have a tendency not to pay attention to the cold and discomfort;
- Cardiovascular diseases, peripheral arterial disease or poor blood circulation. All people suffering from diseases that alter the function of blood vessels and the vascular system are at a greater general risk;
- Diabetics or patients with hypothyroidism and individuals on beta blocker therapy should be very careful during the cold season.
