Cold exposure - arms or legs Frostbite is damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by extreme cold. Frostbite is the most common freezing injury. The essentials of a good first aid kit include a variety of bandages, medications, and equipment to stabilize injuries until proper medical attention can be administered. Frostbite is seldom seen in areas with temperate climates. It occurs at sub-zero temperatures or at temperatures just below freezing but with a wind (wind chill). At some temperatures frostbite can occur within minutes. Note the blistering and swelling caused by tissue freezing. Sever frostbite may result in loss of fingers and toes
or other exposed body parts. Frostbite occurs when the skin and body tissues are exposed to cold temperature for a prolonged period of time. Hands, feet, noses, and ears
are most likely to be affected. If the blood vessels in the frostbite areas are affected, permanent damage can occur. Damage to the blood vessels causes death of the tissue it supplies. Tissue death may necessitate amputation of the affected area. CausesFrostbite occurs when the skin and body tissues are exposed to cold temperature for a long period of time. You are more likely to develop frostbite if you:
SymptomsSymptoms of frostbite may include:
Very severe frostbite may cause:
Frostbite may affect any part of the body. The hands, feet, nose, and ears are the places most prone to the problem.
First AidA person with frostbite on the arms or legs may also have hypothermia (lowered body temperature). Check for hypothermia and treat those symptoms first. Take the following steps if you think someone might have frostbite:
Do NotIn case of frostbite, DO NOT:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalCall your health care provider if:
PreventionBe aware of factors that can contribute to frostbite. These include extreme:
Wear clothing that protects you well against the cold. Protect exposed areas. In cold weather, wear mittens (not gloves); wind-proof, water-resistant, layered clothing; 2 pairs of socks; and a hat or scarf that covers the ears (to avoid heat loss through the scalp). If you expect to be exposed to the cold for a long period of time, do not drink alcohol or smoke. Make sure to get enough food and rest. If caught in a severe snowstorm, find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth. ReferencesFreer L, Handford C, Imray CHE. Frostbite. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 9. Manson PN. Management of frostbite, hypothermia, and cold injuries. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: 1306-1311. Prendergast HM, Erickson TB. Procedures pertaining to hypothermia and hyperthermia. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 65. Sawka MN, O'Connor FG. Disorders due to heat and cold. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 101. Zafren K, Danzl DF. Accidental hypothermia. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 132. Zafren K, Danzl DF. Frostbite and nonfreezing cold injuries. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 131. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 11/13/2021 Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. What name is given to tissue damage caused by exposure to extreme cold?Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to freezing temperatures – typically any temperature below -0.55C (31F). Frostbite can affect any part of your body, but the extremities, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and lips, are most likely to be affected.
What is prolonged exposure to cold?Hypothermia. Hypothermia means that your body temp has dipped below normal. This is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Your body loses heat faster than it can make it.
What cold temperature causes tissue damage?Nonfreezing cold injury (NFCI) occurs when tissue temperatures remain below approximately 17°C (63°F) for a protracted period, particularly when cooling is coupled with other conditions that can cause circulatory stasis.
What is the medical term for frostbite?Frostbite, also known as freezing cold injury (FCI) is tissue damage as a result to cold exposure, occurring at temperatures below 0 degrees C. It is included in a spectrum of injury, from FCI to non-FCI and frostnip. [1] Any portion of exposed skin is prone to the damaging effects of frostbite.
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