Frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes and frostbite victims don't have to spend hours in the Arctic to develop frostbite. This means that virtually everybody is susceptible to this painful and potentially disfiguring injury.
How Does Frostbite Occur?
According to Boston-area podiatrist Dr. David Alper, who's treated his fair share of frostbitten toes over the years, says the most common frostbite victims are males between 30 and 49 years of age. The fingers, toes, nose and cheeks are most vulnerable to developing frostbite.
Frostbite occurs when ice crystals begin to develop in the water surrounding soft tissue cells, like skin cells. This process causes the cells to lose water, and this dehydration leads to cell death. The, muscles, blood vessels and capillaries are also damaged by the cold. A lack of blood flow to the frostbitten tissue also causes damage.
Additional frostbite damage occurs during the re-warming process as blood resumes travel through the frostbitten-blood vessels. The cold damages the blood vessels, creating holes in the vessel wall. Blood seeps out through these holes, filling the surrounding tissue. This causes intense pain, bruising and swelling as the skin and other soft tissues thaw from frostbite. The damaged nerves in the frostbitten body part also regain sensation as the thawing process occurs, causing severe pain for the frostbite victim.
The Two Types of Frostbite
There are two distinct types of frostbite: superficial frostbite and deep frostbite.
In the case of superficial frostbite, the victim will experience sensations of burning, numbness, itching and tingling. The skin will take on a white, pale appearance. But in the case of superficial frostbite, the frostbitten skin will remain pliable and movable.
In the case of deep frostbite, the victim will lose all sensation in the frostbitten area. The skin will take on a yellow, pale, waxy appearance. Swelling and blisters will develop as the frostbitten tissue begins to thaw. As the skin re-warms, it will take on a purple color, and in very severe cases, the skin will blacken and take on a dead appearance.
How Can You Treat Frostbite?
A frostbite victim should always seek medical attention from a physician or at a hospital. But it's important to know how to treat frostbite and how to administer first aid to a frostbite victim, as more damage can result if the situation is handled incorrectly.
Dr. Alper offered the following tips:
- Elevate the frostbitten area above the level of the heart to minimize swelling.
- Remove any jewelry or other items that may constrict the limb as swelling increases.
- In the case of frostbitten hands or feet, apply a dry bandage to the frostbitten area and wrap each finger or toe individually to prevent rubbing.
- Drink warm fluids (non-alcoholic and decaffeinated only)
- Seek immediate treatment at a hospital or other medical facility.
Notably, it is best to warm a frostbitten tissue quickly; gradual thawing can cause even more severe injuries from frostbite. Therefore, it's important to keep the frostbitten tissue away from a heat source until the frostbite victim has arrived at a medical facility or indoors where a proper re-warming can take place.
It's also important to prevent the frostbitten tissue from thawing if there's a chance the skin could re-freeze. This freeze-thaw-freeze process can lead to "disastrous results" like amputation and disfigurement.
Dr. Alper added, "Above all, keep in mind that the final amount of damage is related to the time [the tissue] remains frozen, no to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport and start of care is very important."
More Reading for Residents of a Cold Climate
Residents of a cold climate may also want to read How to Prevent Water Pipes from Freezing, along with How to Save Money on Home Heating Costs and Home Improvements to Save on Heating Costs.
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