Frostbite represents a major risk in the winter months for anyone who underestimates freezing temperatures and warm clothing. Find out what the symptoms of frostbite are, how to treat it, and above all, how to avoid it.
What frostbite is and how to identify it
You have certainly heard of frostbite before. Frostbite forms when you expose a part of your body to very low temperatures combined with moisture. The most commonly affected areas are the nose, ears, cheeks, toes, fingers, and chin. It occurs due to the freezing of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
It can happen to you on a hike, on a walk, or while skiing. It is enough to be in a cold environment without adequate protection. The first symptom is a change in skin color at the affected site to white, then to red, followed by burning, blisters, and swelling.
What to do if you or someone else has frostbite
If you notice frostbite quickly enough, you can treat it yourself. However, if it is more serious, be sure to seek medical help. If the symptoms are only mild, first aid is as follows:
- check whether the affected person is hypothermic - hypothermia is accompanied by shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness, and the more severe the hypothermia, the more the shivering subsides; the affected person may even mistakenly feel warm and become more confused. Hypothermia is one of the main symptoms that requires medical help
- prevent further damage to the skin - if the skin is frozen, do not try to thaw it immediately. This could cause it to freeze again. Instead, wrap the area in something dry, such as clothing. You can place your hands on warm skin. Do not rub the affected skin with snow, and do not try to “walk off” frostbitten feet
- leave the cold environment - get out of the cold place as soon as possible. Remove cold clothing and wrap the person with frostbite in a blanket or cover
- slowly and carefully warm the affected areas - do not try to warm the frozen skin as quickly as possible. Proceed gradually and carefully. It is ideal to immerse the affected area in warm water at a temperature of approximately 40°C. During warming, the person may feel burning and tingling. If symptoms persist or worsen, call for help immediately
- drink warm liquids - warm tea can help warm the body. Coffee or soup are also suitable alternatives. Avoid alcohol, because despite the feeling of warmth, it actually cools the body down
Why frostbite is a problem
If you underestimate frostbite and do not treat it, or fail to seek professional help, you can expect unwanted long-term consequences. The affected areas will slowly begin to change color from white to red to blue. Within one to two days, fluid-filled blisters begin to form, and after ten days blackening may occur. This indicates tissue death and irreversible damage. Therefore, do not underestimate the situation and be sure to protect yourself in adequate ways.
Ways to protect yourself against frostbite
The best way to fight frostbite is to avoid it and not let the frost cause you discomfort. So how do you do that?
- don't stay in the cold for too long- long hikes are certainly interesting and full of adventure, but they also carry many risks. Try not to overdo it and plan your time outside for a reasonable duration
- dress properly and layer up- loose clothing and several layers will ensure that you stay warm while preventing cold and moisture from getting under your clothes. The basics are socks (feel free to wear more than one pair), gloves, thermal underwear and a winter jacket
- eat well and maintain your fluid intake- you shouldn't leave home without eating properly, or without bringing some nutritious food and enough water with you. This will help you stay warm
- keep moving- don't stand still for long and don't sit down for too long either. Stay in motion at all times, even just a little. You can rest after the hike with a warm tea or mulled wine in the warmth
- use heating patches- if you're worried that the heat your body generates isn't enough, heating patches can help. These patches can produce up to 65 °C and are suitable for gloves and boots, where they protect the most vulnerable parts of the body from frostbite.
- don't drink alcohol- this has already been mentioned as part of first aid, but it's worth mentioning here as well. Alcohol does not treat frostbite and does not work as prevention either.
