First Aid for Frostbite
Frostbite happens when skin and the tissues underneath freeze due to very cold temperatures. When exposed to freezing weather, your body redirects blood away from your extremities to protect your vital organs. This can cause the outer parts of your body—like fingers, toes, and nose—to get dangerously cold. At first, you may notice cold and tingling sensations that quickly change to numbness. The skin might appear pale or even shift to blue, gray, or white.
As frostbite progresses, the skin can become stiff, hard, or develop a waxy texture. In severe cases, the area may lose all feeling. Most frostbite cases affect body parts that are uncovered or not well insulated against the cold, such as your fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, chin, and the tip of your nose. Even a few minutes in extreme cold or windy weather can be enough to damage these exposed areas.
Types of Frostbite
Frostbite can vary in severity, depending on how long the skin was exposed and how deep the freezing goes. The main types include:
- Frostnip: This is the mildest form. It causes temporary numbness, redness, and a tingling feeling, but the skin is not permanently damaged. Once warmed, the skin usually returns to normal.
- Superficial Frostbite: In this stage, the outer layer of skin freezes, and you may notice grayish or white patches. After rewarming, the area might sting or burn. Blisters may form within 12–36 hours.
- Deep Frostbite: This more serious form affects all layers of the skin, and possibly muscles, nerves, and bones. The skin may become completely numb, and large blisters can develop. Long-term damage like tissue death (gangrene) is possible.
Signs of Frostbite to Watch For
Here’s a list of symptoms and how they might appear:
| Symptom | Possible Appearance |
|---|---|
| Numbness | Pale, gray, white, or blue skin |
| Tingling or itching | Stiff or waxy skin |
| Burning or sharp pain | Blistering in more serious cases |
| Hard or swollen skin | Total loss of sensation |
In the early stages, you may feel pins and needles. As the frostbite worsens, these sensations may go away completely as the nerves stop responding. This is often a sign that tissue damage has reached a deeper level.
Signs It’s Time for Emergency Support
Call for emergency help if any of the following happen:
- Severe pain does not go away even after rewarming or taking pain relievers.
- The person begins shivering violently or can’t stop trembling.
- Speech becomes slurred or slow.
- The individual seems extremely sleepy, confused, or unresponsive.
- They struggle to stay balanced, walk, or remain standing.
- You notice other symptoms of hypothermia, such as tiredness, drowsiness, fumbling hands, or slurred speech.
Important: If you suspect both frostbite and hypothermia, treat hypothermia first. Both are medical emergencies and need quick, professional treatment to prevent lasting damage or death.
How to Help and Care for Frostbite
While you can manage frostnip at home with simple warming, more serious frostbite should always be checked by a healthcare professional. Here are first aid steps to follow:
- Move away from the cold. Get indoors or into a warm shelter as soon as possible. Remove wet or tight clothing and cover exposed areas.
- Protect skin. Cover affected areas with soft, dry material. Use your own warm body—for example, place cold fingers under your arms or cover ears and nose with gloved hands. Never rub or massage the skin.
- Begin gentle warming. Use warm (not hot) water between 37°C and 39°C (98.6–102.2°F). Soak the area for 20–30 minutes. The skin may appear red or purple as it warms. Use warm, moist cloths for areas like the nose or ears.
- Avoid direct heat. Don’t use stoves, fireplaces, heating pads, or electric blankets. These can burn numb skin without you realizing it.
- Drink warm fluids. Offer warm, nonalcoholic drinks like water or clear broth to help raise internal temperature. Avoid caffeine, which can cause your body to lose heat faster.
- Relieve pain. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can ease pain and reduce inflammation.
- Remove anything tight. Take off rings, watches, bracelets, or snug clothing before swelling worsens.
Quick Steps Table
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Remove from cold | Get indoors and stay dry |
| Protect from refreezing | Avoid thawing if freezing may return |
| Warm affected area | Soak in warm water—not direct heat |
| Stay hydrated | Drink warm fluids, no alcohol |
| Reduce swelling | Remove tight clothing and jewelry |
Actions and Choices to Avoid
Certain mistakes can cause further harm:
- Don’t thaw if refreezing is possible. If the area may freeze again soon, it’s safer to keep it frozen. Thawing and refreezing causes more harm than leaving it frozen until proper help is available.
- Do not rub the area. Never rub frostbitten skin with hands, snow, or fabric. Rubbing causes further tissue injury.
- Avoid walking on frostbitten feet. Only do so if absolutely necessary to reach safety. Walking can worsen damage to frozen tissues.
- No direct heat. Refrain from using space heaters, open flames, or blow-dryers. Numb areas can burn easily without your awareness.
- Avoid Alcohol. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and give a false sense of warmth, increasing heat loss and slowing recovery.
