What Is Frostbite? Understanding the Chilling Effects of Extreme Cold on Your Skin and Body

Prolonged exposure to severe cold can result in frostbite, a condition where the skin and underlying tissues freeze. Risk factors, including rain, snow, water, and wind, can accelerate skin cooling and elevate the likelihood of frostbite.

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A homeless man, who is suffering from frostbite, displays his hands at an emergency shelter in Broadbent Arena on December 23, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Frostbite: What, Who, and How

Frostbite occurs when the skin is damaged due to freezing temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), and it is more likely in situations involving prolonged cold exposure, such as during winter, in windy conditions, at high altitudes, and without proper shelter. Even with cold-weather clothing, one can be susceptible to frostbite.

This condition can lead to necrosis or permanent tissue damage, underscoring the need to limit outdoor exposure and warm up regularly in freezing temperatures for prevention. If frostbite is suspected, seeking shelter and immediate medical attention is crucial to reduce the risk of tissue damage.

The risk rises with prolonged cold exposure, especially for those under 18 or over 65, living or working in cold climates, lacking housing, or having underlying medical conditions. Despite its prevalence, frostbite has become less frequent due to improved access to cold-weather clothing and increased awareness of associated risks and prevention measures.

The stages of frostbite manifest in three phases: frostnip, characterized by feeling cold, sore, and painful; surface frostbite, where sensations include pins and needles; and deep frostbite, leading to numbness. Immediate medical attention is crucial upon recognizing symptoms of the second or third stages to prevent enduring damage.

Steps for Treating Frostbite

If a child is experiencing frostbite, seeking immediate medical attention and initiating careful rewarming are crucial steps. The process should be gradual and involve wet heat, avoiding the use of heat lamps, heating pads, or electric heaters.

Rubbing or massaging the affected area should be avoided, and rewarming should not be attempted if there's a risk of refreezing. Breaking blisters is also discouraged.

The rewarming method varies depending on the injured body part. For the face and ears, warm, wet washcloths should be applied for 30 minutes, with periodic replacement until cool, followed by gentle patting dry and maintaining warmth, dryness, and cleanliness.

For other areas, immersing the frostbitten body part in warm water (104° to 108°F or 40° to 42°C) for 30 minutes or until the area returns to its normal color is recommended. Gently pat dry and ensure warmth, dryness, and cleanliness. Cease rewarming if the child can move the affected body part, sensation returns, and the area regains its normal color.

Providing warm drinks, covering with a blanket, and maintaining home care by keeping the frostbitten area clean and applying unscented cream or ointment is essential.

Parents should monitor for signs of infection, including thick drainage, swelling, blisters, or redness, and seek medical attention if these occur. Contacting the doctor is necessary if skin color and feeling do not return after 1 hour of rewarming or if fever is present (above 100.4°F for infants younger than 3 months, above 104°F for older children).