Cold Weather-Frostbite

  • Damaging to body tissue
  • A wind chill of -20 Fahrenheit will cause frostbite in approximately 30 minutes depending on wind speeds

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

Treatment for affected areas:

  • 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

-----It will warm the tissue too fast causing tissue damage

-----Warming 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