|
|
|
“Men leave arms and legs behind, severed by the frost, and the cruel cold cuts off the limbs already broken.” – Silius Italica, Punica, III, 552.
rostbite – the sharp, painful sensations that result from the freezing and thawing of the skin. It is a severe cold injury that, in many ways, resembles the burn you get when you touch something hot. Press an ice cube on your cheeks for a few seconds. Burns, doesn’t it? If you were to leave it there for a few minutes, you would develop a painful blister.
Whether exposure to cold will result in frostbite depends on many factors, including the temperature, the wind-chill factor, how long you’re exposed, and what you’re wearing. People’s tolerance to cold varies as well. There are several conditions that reduce one’s tolerance: poor circulation, poor general health, poor nutrition, fatigue, injury, immobility of an extremity, and contact with metals.
The areas of the body most vulnerable to the effects of frostbite are the feet and toes, the tip of the nose, the rims and lobes of the ears, and the tips of the fingers.
How do you recognize frostbite? In its mildest form, known as frost nip, the skin suddenly turns pale due to the constriction of blood vessels. This is the body’s method of conserving heat by diverting the blood to the vital internal organs. This skin pallor is accompanied by tingling. Burning and pain follow, and the skin becomes whitish or slightly yellow.
If the freezing continues, it affects the deeper tissues. The pain disappears and areas affected become numb. (Disappearance of pain is a warning sign of imminent danger!) The affected skin then becomes waxy white. Severe and lengthy exposure to cold can injure deeper tissues, such as muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones. Children who suffer severe cases of frostbitten fingers often end up with small hands as adults.
If you develop frostbite, see your doctor at once. Do not treat it with ice, ice water, or snow. This “cold” treatment can actually kill the tissue. And do not move any skin that is frozen – movement will result in severe damage. Also, don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
The best method to treat frostbite – the one that your doctor will probably recommend – is to restore the normal temperature of the skin by rapidly rewarming the frostbitten area. Immerse the affected part in a water bath at a temperature of 104º to 110º F (40º to 44º C). Better yet, use a whirlpool bath. Make sure the temperature does not exceed 110 F. because your skin does not have any sensation, and you could produce a burn at higher temperatures. Do not use local, dry heat. And do not move the frozen skin. This treatment may produce more pain, more redness and swelling, and bigger blisters than gradual rewarming, but it promotes faster healing, reduces tissue loss, and prevents complications, such as infection, ulceration, gangrene, and even loss of a limb.
During the thawing process, blisters will develop. These blisters may persist for weeks, and the newly formed skin may be tender for months. In most cases of mild to moderate frostbite, complete healing will usually take place in a week or two.
To guard against frostbite, dress normally and protect those parts that are most susceptible to cold. When the temperature falls and the wind is howling, causing the chill factor to drop to arctic levels, protect those delicate sensitive areas: the fingertips with warm gloves or mittens; the ears with muffs or flaps; and the nose with a ski mask. The feet should be enclosed in thick, loose-fitting, lined boots that can accommodate thick socks. Protect the rest of the body with thermal underwear, long johns, turtle neck sweaters, scarves, and fur-lined coats. The ideal fabric for outdoors wear is one that traps a lot of air. Loosely woven bulky wool or acrylic, Thinsulate, Holowfil, Goretex and PolarGuard all fill this guideline.
Keep up your general health and avoid fatigue.
|
For further information about frostbite, log on to: www.aad.org 1-888-462-DERM x22 |
|
| TREATING FROSTBITE |
|
The recommended procedure for treating frostbite is to soak the affected part in a water bath at a temperature of 104º to 110º F (40º to 44º C).
For the blisters that may develop during the thawing process, apply wet compresses for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours with the following antiseptic solution:
Domeboro Powder
Bluboro Powder
Directions for use are on the container. The temperature of the solution should be the same as above.
When the blisters have begun to dry up, you may discontinue the compresses.
 |  |  |
|
|
|