$Unique_ID{PAR00079}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Frostbite}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Frostbite Whitish yellow white skin Burning itching sensation Loss
tissue Reddening swelling Blistering peeling tissues frostbitten freezing
exposure cold toes feet fingers ears nose cheeks Muscles tendons nerves
damaged damage blood clots vessels Gangrene wind winds air edema Gangrenous}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Frostbite


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     First-degree:
     - Whitish or slightly yellow skin
     - Burning or itching sensation

     Second-degree:
     - Loss of sensation
     - Reddening and swelling of tissues
     - Blistering and peeling of rewarmed skin

     Third-degree:
     - Waxy white, hard skin
     - Swelling

     HOME CARE
     - Prevent frostbite by having your child wear adequate and appropriate
       clothing.
     - If frostbite does occur, warm the affected area by immersing in
       lukewarm (not hot or cold) water and then carefully pat the skin dry.
     - If you are outdoors, have the child warm the frostbitten areas by
       placing them in contact with warm parts of the body (for example, under
       the arms or between the thighs) until shelter can be reached.
     - Give the child warm drinks, and keep the frostbitten areas clean.
     - After thawing, raise the affected parts to improve circulation and keep
       the skin at room temperature.
     - Consult your doctor about all cases of frostbite.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - In administering first aid for frostbite, do not rub the affected
       areas.
     - Do not let the child walk on frostbitten feet or exercise frostbitten
       parts of the body.
     - Do not expose frostbitten areas to the direct heat of a radiator,
       stove, or fire.
     - Loss of sensation in the affected areas is a danger signal.
     - Frostbite can have serious consequences, including gangrene, which may
       necessitate amputation of the affected part.


     Frostbite is the freezing of skin tissue caused by exposure to the cold.
It can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affected are the toes,
feet, fingers, ears, nose, and cheeks--areas that are frequently exposed to
the cold and that have the lowest degree of circulation.  The very young and
the very old are particularly susceptible to frostbite.
     Frostbite can have serious consequences.  If the frostbite is severe
enough to cause the death of skin tissue, surgery may be necessary to remove
the dead tissue.  Muscles, tendons, and nerves may be damaged.  Severe
frostbite can also cause blood clots to form in small blood vessels in the
affected area, in turn causing death of deeper tissues because of reduced
blood supply.  Gangrene can result, necessitating the amputation of the
affected parts.
     Prolonged exposure to the cold is the most frequent cause of frostbite,
but even a short exposure can freeze skin tissue if the cold is severe enough.
Obviously, inadequate or inappropriate clothing can increase the risk of
frostbite.  Strong winds can intensify the effect of cold air on the skin.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Frostbite occurs in stages.  As with burns, there are three stages of
frostbite.
     In first-degree frostbite the skin becomes whitish or slightly yellow.
This discoloration is accompanied by a burning or itching sensation.  If the
affected areas are warmed promptly, the child should recover completely.  If
exposure to the cold continues, the child will lose sensation in the affected
area and will feel no pain.  This loss of sensation is a danger signal that
should be heeded.
     Second-degree frostbite is characterized by reddening and swelling of the
tissues involved.  Rewarming the area may produce blisters and peeling of the
skin.
     In third-degree frostbite the skin becomes waxy white and hard
throughout, which indicates that skin tissue has died.  The affected parts may
swell up with edema (collection of fluid in the tissues).

HOME CARE

     The best treatment is prevention.  Be sure that your child is adequately
dressed on cold days, and be aware of the warning signs of frostbite.
     If the child does get frostbitten, first aid is important.  However, it
is just as important to know what not to do.  Do not rub the affected part
with snow.  In fact, do not rub the area at all, since this can cause further
damage to frozen tissue.  Do not let the child exercise the frostbitten part
or walk on frostbitten feet.
     Take the child indoors as soon as possible, and rewarm the frostbitten
area.  Rapid rewarming produces pain, redness, and perhaps blisters, but it
also reduces tissue loss and helps prevent complications.  Do not expose the
affected area to the direct heat of a radiator, stove, or fire.  Instead,
immerse the frostbitten area in water at a temperature of 100 degrees_F to 110
degrees_F.  Be sure that the temperature does not exceed 110 degrees_F, since
higher temperatures can cause a burn in skin that lacks sensation.  If you do
not have a thermometer, try to make the water lukewarm (neither hot nor cold).
Pat the skin dry carefully.
     If the child is outdoors, the affected areas can be warmed by placing
them in contact with warm areas of the body (for example, under the arms or
between the thighs) until shelter can be reached.  Frostbitten toes can be
wrapped in a warm, dry blanket.  Warm drinks (not alcohol) may be helpful.
The affected areas should be kept clean.
     After the frozen areas have thawed, elevate them to improve blood
circulation.  Keep the frostbitten skin at room temperature, and do not rub
it.
     Consult your doctor about all cases of frostbite.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Be watchful for the signs of frostbite.  Even brief exposure to extreme
     cold can cause frostbite.
  -  Strong winds can intensify the effect of cold air on the skin.
  -  Do not rub frostbitten areas.
  -  Do not let the child walk on frostbitten feet or exercise frostbitten
     parts of the body.
  -  Do not expose frostbitten areas to the direct heat of a radiator, stove,
     or fire.
  -  Do not give alcoholic drinks to a person with frostbite.
  -  Loss of sensation in the affected areas is a danger signal.
  -  Frostbite can have serious consequences, including gangrene, which may
     necessitate amputation of the affected part.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     The doctor may prescribe medications to ward off infection or drugs to
prevent the formation of clots in the blood vessels.

RELATED TOPIC:  Blisters