Frostbite: is it an Emergency?
First degree frostbite or frost nip, is fairly common – to the extent where nearly everyone has had some form of it, says Roberta Kern MD, a family medicine doctor at TriHealth Priority Care.
- Related post: Am I at Risk for Getting Frostbite?
On the other hand, once you get into third and fourth degree frostbite, which usually presents itself as blackening of the skin, or gangrene, you need immediate medical attention. “If you’re starting to get black tissue or there are any drainage concerns, that would be an emergency room evaluation,” Dr. Kern points out.
Other symptoms of very severe frostbite include:
- Blisters
- Damage to tendons, muscles, nerves and bone
Blistering of the skin is typically borderline between frost nip and severe frostbite, so Dr. Kern suggests – at least – visiting your primary care doctor if you experience blistering.
Frostbite: Is there Anything I Can do to Treat it at Home?
First – and sometimes second – degree frostbite is usually treatable at home. First degree frostbite most commonly affects peripheral areas of the body, like your fingers, toes, nose and ears. Symptoms include:
- Pins and needles feeling followed by numbness
- Hard, pale, and cold skin that has been exposed to the cold for too long
- The area may ache or throb
- Lack of sensation; you may not feel it if someone touches you there
- As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and very painful
If you think you have first degree frostbite, Dr. Kern says you should immediately get out of the cold and remove any wet clothing from your body, and proceed to re-warm the affected area using warm water for 10 or 15 minutes. “You don’t want to do it with hot water because the tissue is numb. You can’t feel it, possibly … and you don’t know if you’re burning yourself,” Dr. Kern explains. “You can actually do more damage with hot water.” Similarly, do not use heating pads or fire to re-warm the affected area, either.
Frostbite: How Can I Prevent it?
In freezing temperatures, you’re best bet is to limit your exposure as much as possible. If you need to go outside, dress appropriately, especially by covering areas that are at a higher risk of being frostbitten, like your hands, nose and ears.
“If anything does get wet in the cold, make sure you go inside and change if you can,” Dr. Kern warns. “That’s usually the biggest thing – is having wet clothing.”