In this case, handle the person gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Frostbite is a type of injury caused by freezing. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation removing the affected body part.
If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may point to frostbite:. A person who has frostbite may not know they have it until someone else points it out because the frozen parts of their body are numb. If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, seek medical care. Check to see if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious condition and requires emergency medical care.
If 1 a person shows signs of frostbite, but no signs of hypothermia and 2 immediate medical care is not available, do the following:. Frostbite should be checked by a health care provider.
And remember, Hypothermia is a medical emergency and immediate medical care is necessary. Taking a first aid or emergency resuscitation CPR course is a good way to prepare for health problems related to cold weather. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.
Being prepared is your best defense against having to deal with extremely cold weather. By preparing your home and car ahead of winter storms or other winter emergencies, and by taking safety precautions during extremely cold weather, you can reduce your risk of developing health problems related to cold weather.
Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Natural Disasters and Severe Weather. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Too much insulation causes sweating and too little accelerates heat loss. A warm cap and mitten are essential. Up to a 50 percent heat loss can take place from an uncovered head. Be well-rested and properly nourished.
Quick-energy foods should be taken along. During a lot of water to prevent dehydration. Be in good physical condition. Exercise is necessary to maintain body heat. Exhaustion prevents exercise and speeds hypothermia. Symptoms Uncontrollable shivering. Poor coordination and loss of manual dexterity. Disorientation, slurred speech, unawareness.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. The most vulnerable areas of frostbite are your nose, ears, fingers and toes. So who's most at risk?
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cold weather safety for older adults. National Institute on Aging. Accessed March 31, Avoiding frostbite and hypothermia. National Safety Council. Corneli HM, et al. Hypothermia in children: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis.
Auerbach PS, et al. Accidental hypothermia. In: Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. Elsevier; Walls RM, et al. Zafren K, et al. Accidental hypothermia in adults. Stay safe during and after a winter storm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparing for a winter storm. Hypothermia prevention: Survival in cold water.
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