Treat Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the flesh freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Frostbite is most common in fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin; in severe cases, it can lead to amputation of affected areas. In most cases of frostbite only the skin is frozen (known as frostnip) but in extreme cases dead tissue goes deeper and must be handled delicately. Frostbite requires careful medical attention to minimize damage and reduce the likelihood of further harm.

Steps

 * 1) Determine how severe the symptoms are. Because treatments for frostbite and frostnip vary somewhat, you need to know what you are dealing with.
 * 2) *Frostnip – Painful sensation, red skin, skin responds normally to pressure.
 * 3) *Superficial frostbite – Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin still feels soft.
 * 4) *Deep frostbite – Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin. Skin feels waxy and unusually firm.
 * 5)  Move to a warm indoor location to treat the frostbite. Warm the entire body, wrap the patient's entire body in warm blankets.
 * 6) Remove any wet items of clothing or tight jewelry and replace with fresh clothing. If professional medical help is available, wrap affected areas, keep warm and wait.
 * 7) Treat frostbite or frostnip as described below.

Treating frostnip and superficial frostbite
Use these procedures for frostnip or for superficial frostbite that does not cover a large area of skin.
 * 1) Rewarm affected areas slowly.
 * 2) *Place hands under armpits or place against a parnter's stomach
 * 3) *Submerge feet or hands in warm water (105-110&deg; F - no hotter)
 * 4) *Apply warm cloths to affected areas.
 * 5) *Blow warm air on the affected body part.
 * 6) Avoid rubbing the area. This can cause additional harm.

Treating severe frostbite
Follow these steps for rewarming severe frostbite. However, if the area may become frozen again, do not try to defrost it. Freezing, thawing and then re-freezing body parts will almost certainly result in permanent damage.
 * 1) Warm the affected areas gently.
 * 2) *Submerge the affected areas in warm water. The water needs to be between 100 - 105&deg; F (37.7-43.4&deg; C). Never use water hotter than these temperatures or it will damage tissue! . The water should be a comfortable temperature to unaffected areas of the body.
 * 3) *Alternatively if warm water is not available compress the area with something warm such as a friends hand, armpit, or crotch area.
 * 4) Maintain the warming process for 25-40 minutes. . Keep the water temperature constant by gradually adding warm water as the water cools. Avoid adding warm water directly over the affected area.
 * 5) Do not use dry heat such as heaters, fireplaces or heating pads. These heat sources are too difficult to control, and will not supply the sort of gradual heat needed to treat frostbite.
 * 6) [[Image:11450664_b18bf455f1.jpg|thumb|250px|Blistering of frostbitten hands.]]Take something to reduce the pain such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, not aspirin. As the affected areas warm there will be some severe burning sensations, change of skin colour and maybe blistering/swelling. Do not try to treat/burst the blisters.
 * 7) Apply dry sterile dressing to areas and keep them as still as possible. Remember to dress fingers and toes individually, use cotton balls or other spacers to keep digits from touching.
 * 8) Seek professional medical attention. Seek medical help as soon as possible for severe frostbite. Failure to promptly treat frostbitten extremities may lead to the need to amputate. These instructions are not a substitute for proper medical attention.

Tips

 * If present, treat hypothermia first. Hypothermia refers to the general lowering of the core body temperature to dangerously low levels. Hypothermia can be fatal. It must always be treated before frostbite.
 * Frostbite usually begins with redness and pain in the skin. If you experience this, protect the affected area immediately. Preventing frostbite is always preferable to treating it.
 * Individually wrap affected fingers and toes so they do not rub against each other and cause damage.
 * How to prevent Frostbite
 * Use mittens instead of gloves.
 * Use many thin layers of clothing rather than one or two thick ones.
 * Keep clothes dry, especially socks and gloves or mittens.
 * Be sure to wrap children up with extra layers and bring them inside every hour to warm up. Children are more susceptible to frostbite as they lose heat much faster than adults.
 * Make sure boots/shoes are not too tight.
 * Wear a hat and or ski mask that protects ears and nose.
 * Seek shelter if encountering a serious storm.

Warnings

 * Once rewarmed, frostbitten areas cannot be used until they have healed. This can cause serious additional harm.
 * Do not warm areas with direct or dry heat such as fires (any kind), hot water bottles or heating pads, unless it is the only heat source, then you must be careful, since you won't feel the burning. Affected areas can be burned easily.
 * Numb hands will not feel how hot the water is, so be sure to let someone else check the temperature to avoid burns.
 * Do not smoke or drink alcohol whilst recovering; they both interfere with blood circulation.
 * Once deeply frostbitten limbs have been rewarmed, it is absolutely vital that they do not freeze again. That will lead to irreversible tissue damage.

Things You'll Need

 * Warm water
 * Dressing
 * Pain relievers
 * Tights

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Treat Hypothermia
 * How to Dig out Your Car After a Snow Storm
 * How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
 * How to Survive a Winter Storm
 * How to Build a Snow Cave

Sources and Citations
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