Imagine being out in the cold and your fingers suddenly start tingling and then go numb. Frostbite occurs when your skin freezes during exposure to freezing temperatures. The early stage of frostbite is known as frosting. It causes a cold feeling followed by numbness. As frostbite gets worse, the affected skin tends to change color and can become hard. First aid for frostbite helps in improving the health condition. In this blog, we will help you understand more about frostbite, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What is Frostbite?
Frostbite happens when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to extreme cold. It affects fingers, toes, nose, and ears. There are 3 stages of frostbite:
1. Frostnip
- Description: Early, mild stage of frostbite.
- Symptoms: Skin feels cold, red, and numb, then turns pale or white.
- Reversible? Yes. Warming the skin restores normal feeling, and no permanent damage occurs.
2. Superficial Frostbite
- Description: The freezing starts affecting deeper skin layers.
- Symptoms: Skin turns pale, waxy, and may feel hard or frozen. Blisters may form after warming.
- Reversible? Often, but some skin damage may occur if untreated.
3. Deep Frostbite
- Description: A severe stage where deeper tissues, muscles, and even bones freeze.
- Symptoms: Skin turns dark or blue, may feel numb, and blisters or tissue death (necrosis) can happen.
- Reversible? Partially. Some areas may suffer permanent damage or require amputation.
4. Fourth Degree Frostbite
- Description: The most severe form, affecting muscles, tendons, and bones.
- Symptoms: Skin is black, hard, and may develop gangrene. Severe pain or complete numbness is common.
- Reversible? Rarely. Often results in tissue loss or amputation.
As a result, the skin turns numb and becomes pale. It can also cause permanent damage. So make sure you stay warm and wear warm clothes.
What are the Causes of Frostbite?
Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue freeze as a result of exposure to extreme cold. This condition can be dangerous and can cause permanent damage if it is not treated quickly. Understand the causes of frostbite to help prevent it.
Here are the causes of frostbite:
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures:
When the body is exposed to cold for a long time, it struggles to keep the skin and outer tissues warm. When it is freezing, the body prioritizes keeping core organs warm. It diverts blood flow away from the extremities. This reduced circulation makes fingers and toes very vulnerable to freezing. Even windchill can lower the temperature down and strip away the heat that your body naturally gives off. This makes frostbite more likely. When the wind blows, it feels colder than the actual air temperature, speeding up heat loss from exposed skin. This can cause frostbite to develop faster, even if the air temperature alone wouldn’t normally cause freezing.
When tissues start freezing, ice crystals form within cells. This damages them and leads to frostbite when exposure continues.
Inadequate clothing:
Wool and synthetic fabrics keep you warmer because they trap heat and stay dry. Wool is better at retaining heat than cotton and absorbs moisture. Cotton, on the other hand, absorbs water and stays damp. This makes you colder. In cold weather, wool and synthetics are better for staying warm and dry.
If you wear insufficient clothing or fail to cover exposed skin, it increases frostbite risk. During cold weather, you need multiple layers, such as insulated gloves, scarves, and hats. If clothing is damp or wet, then heat loss occurs much faster. Only a few minutes in wet conditions can put extremities at risk. Moisture conducts heat away from the body more efficiently as compared to dry clothing.
Poor circulation:
Health conditions such as diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases can reduce blood flow. This can numb the hands and feet and make it harder for the body to keep them warm. Smoking constricts blood vessels, limits circulation, and increases the risk of frostbite. Tight clothing or shoes can also restrict blood flow. When blood flow is limited, the tissues can freeze and cause frostbite.
High winds and wet conditions:
During windy conditions, even moderate cold can make you feel much colder. This can put your skin at risk. Your skin is vulnerable as water conducts heat away from the body more effectively. Such windy conditions can lead to frostbite far faster. So you must stay dry and shielded from the wind.
What are the Common Places to get Frostbite?
Frostbite can affect any part of the skin. But you are more likely to get frostbitten on your extremities. These are parts of the body that are most exposed to cold temperatures.
- Hands and fingers
- Feet and toes
- Ears
- Face and nose
These are the furthest from the heart and have less blood flow. When it is cold, the body sends more blood to the core and less to the extremities. These are more exposed to wind, snow and freezing temperatures and makes them lose heat faster.
What are the Symptoms of Frostbite?
Frostbite symptoms vary and depend on how long and severely the skin is exposed to the cold. Before it worsens, you must recognize the symptoms. Frostbite can progress and become severe from mild if not treated timely. The symptoms begin very subtly, so make sure you are well aware.
Below are the common symptoms:
Red or pale skin:
In the early stage, frostbitten skin may look red or lighter than your normal skin tone. This can turn to a pale or white color as frostbite worsens. The skin may feel colder than usual. This is a warning sign that the skin is being damaged by the cold.
Numbness:
As frostbite progresses, the affected area may become numb. This makes it difficult to feel anything. Numbness happens as the cold damages nerves and cuts off sensation. This is dangerous because you might not realize how cold or hurt your skin is.
Blisters:
In more advanced frostbite, painful blisters can form. This is filled with fluid or blood. This happens as skin cells start freezing and swelling. Blisters usually show up after rewarming. They are a sign of deeper damage caused to the skin.
How to Treat Frostbite?
To treat frostbite, get out of the cold and start warming the affected skin immediately. Avoid giving direct heat, as it can worsen the damage. Frostbite self care treatment helps you gently rewarm the skin, prevent infection, and restore blood flow to the frozen area. Do not forget to seek medical help even after giving first aid.
Here is how you can treat a frostbite:
Move Indoors:
Find a warm, sheltered area to prevent further exposure to the cold. This stops the condition from worsening and allows you to begin frostbite treatment in a safe environment.
Remove Wet Clothing:
Carefully take off any damp or cold clothing around the frostbitten area. Wet clothes can cause body temperature to drop even more, so it’s essential to switch to dry, warm layers.
Warm the Skin Gradually:
Place the frostbitten area in warm (not hot) water, ideally between 98.6°F and 102.2°F, for about 20-30 minutes. Avoid using hot water or heat sources like stoves, as these can burn the numb skin without the person realizing it.
Keep the Area Elevated:
Raise the frostbitten area to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. Elevation can also help reduce pain and inflammation as the skin begins to rewarm.
Wrap with a Clean Cloth:
After warming, wrap the area in a sterile cloth to protect it and keep it warm. This keeps out dirt and bacteria that could cause infection as the skin heals.
Read more: 6 Ways to Get Self-Paced First Aid Classes Near Me
What are the Severe Frostbite Complications?
Frostbite can lead to severe complications. Studies indicate that the rate of amputation following severe frostbite injuries ranges between 20% and 30%. Additionally, long-term sequelae are very common.
For example, a study found that 53% of patients have experienced hypersensitivity to the cold. While 40% reported numbness, 13% were unable to work at their best due to frostbite injuries. Some severe frostbite complications include nerve damage, gangrene or death of tissues, damage caused in joints and muscles, and increased sensitivity to cold.
Additionally, severe injuries can lead to emotional and psychological impact. Individuals who experience severe frostbite may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This can happen due to nightmares, flashbacks, or intense fear due to any traumatic event.
If the condition causes amputation or physical scarring, it can make you feel helpless, in grief and cause anxiety and depression. The trauma can be life-threatening and make individuals feel isolated.
Things to Avoid if you Get Frostbite
If you get frostbite, you must avoid further exposure to cold and do not try to rewarm the area unless you can keep it warm. It can worsen the damage.
Here are some common things to avoid:
- Do not rub or massage the frostbitten skin.
- Do not apply direct heat, like a heating pad.
- Restrict smoking, as it can affect blood flow.
- Avoiding alcohol with frostbite can keep the body heat optimal.
- Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes as it can lead to further injury.
Stay Prepared to Handle Frostbite
You must know the causes, symptoms, and treatment of frostbite to assess and treat it timely. First aid for frostbite helps and equips you to stay prepared. The early symptoms are pale skin, numbness, and a tingling sensation. Severe cases may further cause blisters and darken the skin. Do not panic; instead, reach out for instant help. Immediate first aid can help. Move to a warm place and avoid direct heat to minimize damage caused to the tissue. Recognize the signs early to prevent complications and ensure recovery.
Read more: First Aid Courses in Seattle
FAQs
How long does it take for you to get frostbite?
You can get frostbite in 30 minutes or less when the wind chill is -15 F or lower. If you live in a cold place, try to limit your time outdoors to prevent skin damage.
How cold must it be to get frostbite?
Freezing temperatures cause frostbite. It needs to be colder than 32 F or 0 C for you to get frostbite. The temperature may be colder if it is windy, which can increase your chances of getting frostbite.
What is a sign of permanent skin damage from frostbite?
Clear blisters are a sign of temporary skin damage. If you have blood-filled blisters, you may have permanent damage. If your skin turns black or darker than your natural skin tone, that is a sign of tissue damage. In that case, you may need surgery.
Can I treat frostbite at home?
You should seek care from a healthcare professional if you have frostnip or frostbite. If you stay in a remote place and you are not able to go to the hospital immediately, you can take steps to treat frostbite at home to prevent it from damaging your skin and tissues.
When should I seek a healthcare provider?
If you think you have frostbite, do not wait. Instead, reach out for help immediately and contact a healthcare provider. Act quickly and remove yourself from freezing temperatures. This will help you prevent further complications.
Are there any effects of frostbite on skin color?
Yes, frostbite can have noticeable effects on skin color due to tissue damage and circulation issues. It may cause initial changes in color, redness, and swelling. Additionally, it may also cause blisters and darkening.
