Cold Weather-Frostbite

Symptoms: Loss of feeling, white or pale appearance in extremities, freezing in deep layers of skin and tissue

Affected Areas: Fingers, toes, earlobes, nose

If symptoms are detected:

• Get help
• Move the person to a warm, dry area
• Do NOT leave the person alone
• Remove wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area
• Do NOT rub the affected area—Causes damage to skin and tissue

• Gently place the affected area in warm (105 Fahrenheit) water bath
• Monitor water temperature to SLOWLY warm the tissue

Do NOT pour warm water directly on the affected area this will warm the tissue too fast causing tissue damage, the warming process takes about 25-40 minutes.

After the affected area has been warmed, it may become puffy and blister—When normal feeling, movement and skin color have returned, the affected area should be dried and wrapped to keep it warm

• • If there is a chance the affected area may get cold again, do NOT warm the skin—If the skin is warmed and then becomes cold again, it will cause severe tissue damage