FROSTBITE

'Frostbite' (''congelatio'' in medical terminology) is the medical condition whereby damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. At or below 0° C (32° F), blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow (constrict). This helps to preserve core body temperature. In extreme cold or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective strategy can reduce blood flow in some areas of the body to dangerously low levels. The combination of cold temperature and poor blood flow can cause severe tissue injury by freezing the tissue. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart, and those with a lot of surface area exposed to cold. The initial stages of frostbite are sometimes called "frostnip", some people can feel these, some not.

Contents

Risk factors

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

External links

Risk factors

Risk factors include using beta-blockers and having conditions such as diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms

Generally, frostbite is accompanied with discoloration of the skin, along with burning and/or tingling sensations, partial or complete numbness, and possibly intense pain. If the nerves and blood vessels have been severely damaged, gangrene may follow, and amputation may eventually be required. If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually darkens after a few hours. Skin destroyed by frostbite is completely black, looks loose and flayed, as if burnt.

Treatment

To treat frostbite, one should move the victim to a warm, safe area. If medical attention is easily reachable, wrap the affected areas with dressings and seek help. Do not rub or massage affected areas. Also, if it is unlikely that the affected areas can be kept thawed, treatment should not be carried out due to the fact that thawing followed by a second round of freezing can cause more extensive and severe damage to the frostbitten areas.
Otherwise, one should place the affected areas in warm (not hot) water, until the areas are soft and sensation has returned. Afterwards, wrap the areas in clean, sterile dressings and attempt to reach medical help. If hypothermia has occurred, treat the hypothermia first. Many people think hot water directly onto frostbite is recommended. It is not and can cause long term scarring. This problem is exacerbated by the difficulty of gauging water temperature in a cold space, especially with cold fingers.

Prevention

Factors that contribute to frostbite are extreme cold, wet clothes, wind chill and poor circulation. This can be caused by tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, smoking, alcohol use or diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as diabetes.
Before anticipated prolonged exposure to cold, one should not drink alcohol or smoke, and get adequate food and rest. Multiple layers of clothing, especially wind and water-proof synthetic fabrics, are the best protection against frostbite. Gloves and a hat that covers the ears are especially important. One should not wear fabrics like cotton, which retain moisture.
If caught in a severe snowstorm, one should find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth.^[1]

External links

★ NIH

★ eMedicine

★ Mayo Clinic

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★ Polar Medicine

★ Base Camp MD

★ Frostbite photographs from Across Greenland Ski Expediition

★ http://www.alanarnette.com/images/everest/coverage/frostbite.jpg from tyrone