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Key Points
- Frostbite is a condition where skin and underlying tissue freeze due to exposure to freezing temperatures, with severity ranging from mild to advanced stages.
- Mild frostbite, also known as frostnip, causes redness and numbness and can be treated at home, while more severe stages require emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of frostbite vary, from skin turning pale yellow or white and feeling like "pins and needles" in early stages, to the skin hardening and darkening, possibly turning blue or black in advanced stages.
- The Mayo Clinic advises to check for hypothermia, protect the skin from further damage, get out of the cold, gently rewarm frostbitten areas, drink warm liquids, consider pain medicine, and seek medical attention for first aid.
- Prevention of frostbite includes layering clothing loosely, wearing a hat that covers the head and ears, layering socks, and wearing waterproof boots that cover the ankles.
Frostbite happens when the skin and underlying tissue freeze after being exposed to freezing temperatures, according to VeryWellHealth. They note that while mild frostbite (often called “frostnip”) only causes redness and numbness that can be treated at home, the more advanced stages of frostbite require emergency medical attention. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of frostbite and know what first aid steps to take while you’re on the way to get medical attention.
How Causes of Frostbite
WebMD explains that you’re more likely to get frostbite if you don’t dress appropriately for the weather. You should take into consideration the temperature, wind, and whether snow or rain is a factor when planning what to wear outside.
How quickly you may experience frostbite depends on how cold and windy it is outside—and it can happen faster than you think according to WebMD. Sometimes it can happen in as little as 5 minutes.
Symptoms of Frostbite
When it's cold outside any skin that’s not covered well enough may get frostnipped (red, cold, and sometimes itchy or like ‘pins and needles’). Frostnip is an early sign of frostbite, and if it happens you should find warm shelter as soon as possible according to WebMD.
Symptoms of frostbite depend on how deep it goes into the body, according to WebMD. They explain that there are three stages to frostbite:
Early stage (“frostnip”)
- The skin turns a pale yellow or white
- It may itch, sting, burn, or feel like "pins and needles."
Intermediate stage
- Skin becomes hard
- It looks shiny or waxy
- When the skin thaws, blisters filled with fluid or blood form
Advanced stage
- Skin becomes hard and cold to the touch
- Skin darkens quickly—may look blue and later turn black
First Aid Steps for Frostbite
If you find yourself experiencing the intermediate or advanced stages of frostbite, the Mayo Clinic offers these recommendations for first aid:
- Check for hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia include intense shivering, drowsiness, confusion, fumbling hands, and slurred speech.
- Protect your skin from further damage. If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, the Mayo Clinic notes that you should not start the thawing process. If already thawed, wrap the affected area so that it doesn’t refreeze.
- Get out of the cold. Once you're in a warm space, remove wet clothes and wrap them up in a warm blanket.
- Gently rewarm frostbitten areas. Soak frostbitten fingers, toes, or other extremities in warm water (about 105 to 110, or 40 to 43 C). If a thermometer isn't available, test the water by placing an uninjured hand or elbow in it—it should feel very warm, not hot. Soak frostbitten areas for 20 to 30 minutes or until the skin becomes its normal color or loses its numbness. For the face or ears, apply a warm, wet washcloth. Be sure not to rewarm frostbitten skin with direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace, or heating pad. This can cause burns, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Drink warm liquids. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or soup can help warm you from the inside, according to the Mayo Clinic. They also note that you should not drink alcohol.
- Consider pain medicine. If you're in pain, consider an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Get medical attention.
The Mayo Clinic notes that you will feel tingling and burning as the skin warms—you should be sure not to break any blisters that may form and seek medical help for anything more serious than mild frostbite.
When to see a Doctor for Frostbite
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you see a doctor for anything more than frostnip—even if you have already rewarmed the affected areas.
How to Prevent Frostbite
There are several things you can do to help prevent frostbite, according to WebMD. You can start by layering your clothing, loosely. They note that tight clothing raises your risk of frostbite—so instead, they recommend loose layers that allow body heat to get around.
They recommend three layers:
- A base layer that should be a moisture-wicking material that will help keep you dry
- The second layer should be made of an insulator like wool or fleece
- The third layer should be windproof and waterproof
WebMD also notes that you should have a hat that covers your head and ears.
You should also remember that your socks or shoes are important as feet are highly vulnerable to frostbite. WebMD recommends layering a pair of wool socks over socks that resist moisture and then wearing waterproof boots that cover your ankles.
Summary
Frostbite occurs when your skin and underlying tissues freeze from exposure to extremely low temperatures. There are seven steps you should remember when it comes to first aid for frostbite:
- Check for signs of hypothermia (intense shivering, confusion, or slurred speech)
- Protect your skin from further damage
- Get out of the cold immediately
- Gently rewarm the affected areas
- Drink warm liquids
- Take over-the-counter pain medication & avoid breaking any blisters
- Get medical attention right away
Frequently asked questions
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a condition where the skin and the tissue beneath it freeze due to exposure to freezing temperatures.What are the symptoms of frostbite?
Symptoms of frostbite vary depending on its severity. They range from redness and numbness in mild cases to skin hardening and turning blue or black in severe cases.How can frostbite be treated?
Mild frostbite can be treated at home, but severe cases require emergency medical attention. Treatment includes checking for hypothermia, protecting the skin from further damage, rewarming frostbitten areas gently, drinking warm liquids, considering pain medicine, and seeking medical attention for first aid.What are the stages of frostbite?
Frostbite has three stages: early stage or frostnip, intermediate stage, and advanced stage. Each stage has different symptoms, from skin turning pale yellow or white in early stages to skin hardening and darkening in advanced stages.How can frostbite be prevented?
Frostbite can be prevented by dressing appropriately for the cold weather. This includes layering clothing loosely, wearing a hat that covers the head and ears, layering socks, and wearing waterproof boots that cover the ankles.Is frostbite a serious condition?
Yes, frostbite can be a serious condition, especially in its advanced stages. It requires immediate medical attention.Can you treat frostbite at home?
Yes, mild frostbite, also known as frostnip, can be treated at home. However, more severe stages require medical attention.What does frostbite feel like?
Frostbite can cause a variety of sensations, including itching, stinging, burning, or feeling like "pins and needles." In more severe cases, the skin becomes hard and cold to the touch.
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