Treatment for Frostbite
As winter is progressing, the risk of developing frostbite is increasing. Prolonged exposure to the extreme cold weather condition causes frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the tissues of the skin exposed to cold freezes. Your nose, ears and toes are the most vulnerable parts of the body.
Symptoms of frostbite
The initial stage of frostbite is also known as frostnip. Forstnip does not cause permanent damage to the body tissues. The face or the fingertips affected by frostnip become numb. If frostbite is not treated at the earliest stage, it leads to superficial frostbite.
If frostbite penetrates the tissues lying below the outer skin, it could cause permanent damage to the affected parts of the body. The affected area attains a white or grayish yellow appearance. As the symptoms worsen, the affected area becomes hard. Blisters often develop. If left untreated, severe frostbite could lead to amputation of fingers.
Frostbite risk factors
Poor ability to cope with extreme cold makes children and the aged vulnerable to frostbite. People with poor blood circulation such as diabetics are most susceptible to frost bite. People taking certain medication that tend to reduce blood circulation on the skin have a greater risk of developing frostbite. Not covering your body with proper warm clothing or staying in wet clothes for a prolonged time increases the risk of frostbite. Drinking alcohol or smoking while exposed to cold conditions could cause frostbite.
Frostbite treatment
You should take immediate steps to treat the condition. Remove all clothing or jewelry from the affected area and dip the frostbitten finger or toe in a container containing lukewarm water. The water should be slightly warm. Water that is too hot would only worsen the symptoms of frostbite. When the water becomes cool, immediate replace it with warm water. Try to sustain the temperature of the water.
If you can’t avail warm water apply a heating pad to thaw the frozen skin tissues. Avoid rubbing or massaging the affected area. This would further damage the skin tissues. Even body heat could help to thaw the frozen tissues. Holding the affected fingers under your armpit could help to treat the condition.
