Frostbite occurs when skin tissues are damaged due to prolonged exposure to temperatures of 23°F (-5°C). Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation. Early treatment is crucial, and prevention methods include wearing warm clothing and avoiding exposure to wind.
Frostbite occurs when the body’s skin tissues are damaged as a result of prolonged exposure to temperatures of 23 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Skin damage can be temporary or permanent. There are several frostbite symptoms that should be noted by those who go outside in the winter. One symptom of frostbite is that your core body temperature drops, causing a condition called hypothermia.
Other symptoms of frostbite include numbness or tingling and a burning sensation in the affected part of the body. The skin turns pale, turns red, and finally appears purplish-white if left to freeze. The damaged body part may feel like wood.
People who go out in harsh winter conditions are susceptible to frostbite symptoms. Those with impaired blood circulation have a higher risk of the condition. Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but most often occurs in the toes, fingertips, earlobes, tips of the ears, or the tip of the nose. Early treatment can lead the victim to a full recovery. Severe frostbite can lead to gangrene, the death of body tissue.
Once you notice the first symptoms of frostbite, get out of the cold and warm the affected area immediately. Avoid scrubbing the skin, as this can increase the destruction of damaged skin and tissue. The friction caused by skin rubbing can also increase the risk of infection.
Place the frozen area in a bathtub filled with water that is between 104 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 and 40.5 degrees Celsius). Keep it immersed in water for at least an hour. Treating the affected area with warm water causes blood vessels to dilate and improves blood circulation. If you cannot access warm water, place the affected area in your armpit or between your thighs.
The warm-up procedure is painful, so take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin to counteract the pain. After the skin has warmed up again, cover the skin with bandages and clothing. Finally, visit your doctor or emergency room for further medical treatment.
There are ways to prevent the severe frostbite condition. For example, before going outside in freezing temperatures, apply a skin moisturizer to your face, hands and parts of your body that will be exposed to the air. Wear warm, dry clothing and avoid exposure to wind.
Another way to protect yourself from freezing is to wear a face mask. Heavy gloves should be worn instead of traditional gloves as the fingers stick together inside the gloves, thus generating more body heat. When you exercise, wear layers of clothing. Layers of clothing insulate the body, providing additional protection from freezing.
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