When Should You Contact the Paramedics for Frostbite?

Frostbite is damage to skin tissue caused by prolonged exposure to cold, usually at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Skin freezes into ice crystals, causing cells to rupture and blood to stop flowing. Frostbite can be either superficial and minor, causing temporary damage, or extensive and deep, causing permanent damage. Frostbite can be a serious, even life-threatening medical condition, with blistering, scarring, gangrene, limb amputation, even loss of life, as possible outcomes; it is important to know when you should call 911. However, you can manage mild cases of frostbite--also known as frostnip--without medical intervention with a few simple techniques.

Degrees and Symptoms

• Determine which if the three levels of frostbite the person is experiencing. With frostnip, the skin surface is numb and white, and may feel stiff to the touch. Underneath, however, the tissue is soft and warm. Second-degree frostbite is also called superficial frostbite; the name is misleading because this degree of frostbite is a serious medical condition. The skin is whitish or bluish, and it feels very hard and frozen. Paramedics must treat second-degree frostbite immediately to prevent blistering and other complications. Third-degree frostbite is a life-threatening emergency. The skin is white or blue, and both the skin and underlying tissue feel completely hard, solid and frozen. Call 911 immediately.

Frostnip First Aid

• Immediately check the person for any signs of hypothermia: slurred speech, clumsiness, slowed heart rate and slowed breathing. If you see these signs, or the signs of frostbite, call 911. For frostnip, rwarm the affected area as quickly as possible without damaging the frozen skin. Immerse the area in lukewarm water, at roughly 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Never use heat to thaw skin, and never rub the affected area with snow or anything else; both of these archaic and dangerous methods can result in skin damage and infection. According to The Health Encyclopedia, rewarming may be painful; it is safe to offer the victim aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as long as he is not allergic. Keep the area submerged until the skin is red; the mere return of sensation is not enough. If no warm water is available, tuck the affected area in an armpit, or between thighs. Keep the victim bundled in warm blankets, offer warm beverages, and do not allow him to smoke--nicotine contracts blood vessels--or drink alcohol; this makes it harder to regulate body temperature.

Prevention

• People most susceptible to frostbite include winter campers, skiers, and high altitude climbers. People who are inexperienced in preparing for severe cold are also at risk, as are diabetics and those with peripheral vascular disease.
  To prevent frostbite, stay to try out of the wind and avoid getting wet; both of these accelerate the process. Wear a face mask, and dress in layers, making sure the innermost layer is nonabsorbent and loosely woven. Choose mittens over gloves, and take special care to protect vulnerable parts like the tip of the nose, ears, fingers and toes.
  Be alert for symptoms of frostbite: numbness, tingling, itching and burning, with skin turning first white, then red, then whitish-purple or bluish. As the skin continues to freeze, all feeling is lost.