Frostbite – Symptoms and Causes

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite happens when skin and tissues freeze due to cold exposure. It begins with frostnip, causing coldness and numbness in affected areas. As frostbite progresses, skin may change color and develop a hard or waxy appearance.

Risk factors include exposure to freezing temperatures. This is especially true in windy or wet conditions. Contrary to what some believe, frostbite can affect both exposed skin and areas covered by clothing or gloves.

Mild cases can improve with proper rewarming techniques. However, more severe frostbite requires immediate medical attention to prevent lasting damage to:

• Skin
• Muscle
• Bone
• Other tissues

Without proper treatment, frostbite can lead to permanent tissue damage.

Signs of Frostbite

Frostbite has several noticeable signs. You might experience:

• Numbness in affected areas
• Tingling sensations
• Skin color changes (red, white, blue, gray, purple or brown)
• Cold, hard skin with a waxy appearance
• Joint stiffness causing clumsy movements
• Pain in the affected area
• Blisters that form after warming up

The fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, penis, chin and nose tip are most commonly affected. Many people don’t realize they have frostbite because the numbness prevents them from feeling it. On darker skin tones, color changes may be harder to notice.

Frostbite develops in stages:

1. Frostnip: The early stage with pain, tingling, and numbness. This doesn’t cause permanent skin damage.

2. Mild To Moderate Frostbite: Skin color begins to change and might feel warm, which signals serious skin involvement. After warming the skin, it may look patchy and feel painful with burning and swelling. Blisters filled with fluid might form within 12-36 hours.

3. Deep Frostbite: This affects all skin layers and the tissues beneath. Skin turns white or blue-gray. Large blood-filled blisters may appear 24-48 hours after warming. The tissue might turn black and hard weeks later as it dies.

When to Get Medical Help

Any frostbite injury beyond frostnip needs medical attention to determine its severity.

Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Severe pain that continues after taking pain medication and warming up
• Heavy shivering
• Difficulty speaking clearly
• Unusual drowsiness
• Problems with walking or coordination

Frostbite often occurs alongside hypothermia, a dangerous condition where body temperature drops too low. Watch for shivering, unclear speech, drowsiness, and coordination problems. Babies with hypothermia show cold skin, color changes, and very low energy.

Steps to Take Before Seeing a Doctor

While waiting for medical help:

1. Move to a warm place and remove any wet clothing
2. Cover yourself with a warm blanket if hypothermia is possible
3. Shield the injured area from further harm
4. Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes if possible
5. Take appropriate pain medication if needed
6. Drink something warm (non-alcoholic)

These temporary measures can help manage symptoms until professional medical care is available.

Causes

Frostbite happens when skin and tissues freeze due to cold exposure. The danger increases in wet, windy conditions. People can get frostbite from:

• Exposure to freezing temperatures
• Touching ice directly
• Contact with freezing metal surfaces
• Handling very cold liquids

Wind makes cold temperatures feel even colder, increasing frostbite risk. Wet skin also freezes more quickly than dry skin.

Risk Factors

Frostbite can affect anyone, but certain factors increase your chances of developing this cold-related injury:

• Lack of proper cold-weather clothing
• Health conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or heart failure
• Tobacco use
• Confused thinking or impaired judgment in cold environments
• Previous frostbite or cold injuries
• Age (both very young and elderly individuals have trouble maintaining body heat)
• Cold exposure at high altitudes

These factors can weaken your body’s natural defenses against cold temperatures. People with multiple risk factors should take extra precautions when spending time in freezing conditions.

Possible Complications

Frostbite can lead to several serious health issues beyond the initial injury. People who experience frostbite may develop hypothermia, which is a dangerous drop in body temperature.

The affected areas often become more sensitive to cold afterward, making you more likely to get frostbite again. Many patients report long-term numbness or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the healed areas.

Physical changes may include damaged or lost nails. For children, frostbite can affect bone growth plates, potentially causing growth problems. Other complications include:

• Infection in damaged tissue
• Risk of tetanus
• Development of gangrene
• Possible amputation of severely damaged areas

Prevention

Staying safe from frostbite requires planning and awareness. The following tips can help protect you from this cold-related injury.

Limit Cold Exposure:

Stay indoors during extremely cold, wet, or windy conditions. Check weather forecasts and wind chill factors before going outside. Remember that frostbite risk increases with time spent in freezing temperatures. It can happen instantly if bare skin touches cold metal.

Dress Properly:

• Wear loose, layered clothing (traps warm air)
• Choose moisture-wicking base layers
• Add insulating middle layers (fleece or wool)
• Finish with windproof and waterproof outer layers
• Change wet clothing immediately

Protect Vulnerable Areas:

• Cover your head and ears with a cold-weather hat
• Use mittens instead of gloves (they keep fingers warmer)
• Wear moisture-wicking liner gloves underneath mittens
• Choose well-fitting socks and sock liners that insulate and manage moisture

Stay Alert To Warning Signs:

Watch for early frostbite symptoms like skin color changes, prickling sensations, and numbness. Seek shelter immediately if you notice these signs.

Prepare for Emergencies:

Carry emergency supplies and extra warm clothing when traveling in cold weather. Tell someone your route and expected return time when venturing into remote areas.

Make Healthy Choices:

1. Avoid alcohol before cold-weather activities (causes heat loss and impairs judgment)
2. Eat balanced meals before going outdoors
3. Stay hydrated
4. Keep moving to maintain circulation, but avoid exhaustion