Frostbite symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

What Is Frostbite?

Frostbite refers to the freezing of body tissue (usually skin) that results when the blood vessels contract which causes reduced blood flow and loss of oxygen to the affected body parts. Normal sensation is lost and colour changes also occur in these tissues. Frostbite is most likely to affect body parts that are farther away from the body core and, therefore, receive less blood flow. These include your feet, toes, hands, fingers, nose and ears.

There are three degrees of cold injury: frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite. Although children, older people, and those with circulatory problems are at greater risk for frostbite, most cases occur in adults aged between 30 and 49.

If you develop frostbite, you may not realise at first that anything is wrong because the affected area may be numb. With prompt medical attention, most people recover fully from frostbite. However, if severe frostbite occurs, permanent damage is possible depending on how long and how deeply the tissue was frozen. In severe cases, blood flow to the area may stop and blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones may be permanently affected. If the frozen tissue dies (gangrene) the affected area may need to be amputated.

What causes frostbite?

Frostbite is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, particularly when accompanied by a low wind-chill factor. It may also occur following more brief exposure to very cold temperatures.

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What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite?

• For frostnip: White patches of skin that are numb.
• For frostbite (superficial or deep): Skin that is white or greyish-yellow and feels hard, waxy, or numb, or is blistering or becoming darkened or black.
• Other symptoms include swelling, itching, burning, and deep pain during the rewarming/healing process.

Get medical attention immediately if you think you may have frostbite.

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Self-care

• First, call for help.
• Keep the affected part elevated in order to reduce swelling.
• Move to a warm area to prevent further heat loss.
• Note that many people with frostbite may also be experiencing hypothermia. Saving their lives is more important than preserving a finger or foot.
• Remove all constrictive jewellery and clothes because they may further block blood flow.
• Give the person warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids to drink.
• Never warm up an affected area if there is any chance that it may freeze again. This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results.
• Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else, for that matter). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.
• Above all, keep in mind that the final amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.