Frostbite Facts – Symptoms of Frostbite

We all love the winter season. The snowboarding over snow clad hills and the warm tea inside the coziness of your home gives you that high feeling. But then care must be taken every time you wander outside your home, because outside we have an unnecessary friend with us called Frostbite. Rarely do we ever care about such a threat and then end up nursing a stiff toe or worse, an amputated leg. Yes, frostbite can harm your body very much. So never underestimate the power of nature. Let us now dig deeper into frostbite and find out how it is caused and how it can be prevented and treated.

Frostbite is the freezing of skin layers and tissues. When we are exposed to sub-freezing temperatures our blood vessels constrict. This is our physiological mechanism to keep the core of our body warm. The blood circulation helps in maintaining the body temperature. But when it constricts it moves away from the skin and goes deeper, near the bones and muscles. So eventually the blood is unable to maintain the temperature of skin and it starts falling down. This fall in temperature of skin leads to its freezing. Our skin has, basically, three layers. When the freezing starts the first or the outermost layer starts to freeze. This is called Superficial Thickness or Frostnip. When the second layer of the skin starts to freeze, the condition is called Partial Thickness. This is characterized by white and waxy looking skin. It becomes quite hard and forms dents on pressing it. The third and most dangerous type of frostbite is called Full Thickness, where all the three layers of skin freeze. The skin becomes numb and very hard and it may lead to amputation of the affected body part.

Frostbite generally occurs in the body extremities. The most susceptible part is legs, especially toes. Hands may also be vulnerable but we can always warm them up with simple rubbing. The blood circulation in these parts is low and hence they can succumb to frostbite. Our skin can also undergo frostbite if we touch any metal which is at sub-zero temperature. This type of frostbite is instantaneous and one never gets time to retreat. This is called as Contact Frostbite.

One must take proper precautions to prevent frostbite. The precautions to be taken are very elementary and easy. The most important precaution one can take to prevent frostbite is to wear winter jackets and sweaters. Also avoid tight-fitting clothes because they tend to constrict blood flow. Keep monitoring your feet for signs of frostbite and don’t let your feet get moist as moisture tends to increase the chances of frostbite. Also avoid tobacco and alcohol. Frostbite can be treated by thawing the affected part. This is done by putting it in hot water. But care must be taken to avoid re-freezing of the body part as it will destroy the tissue completely.

So next time when you venture out in cold, do remember the tips mentioned above to avoid the wrath of frostbite and enjoy the winter season.

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