Diagnosis & Treatment of Frostbite
Diagnosis & Treatment of Frostbite
Frostbite is initially diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical exam.
Various imaging techniques may be used to determine the severity of tissue damage three to five days after re-warming.
Find out more about frostbite:
Basics
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
After one to three weeks, imaging may also be used to help evaluate the condition of any potentially damaged blood vessels and to identify severely frostbitten areas that may need to be amputated.
Most people recover completely from frostbite, though the affected area may be more susceptible in the future to discomfort from cold weather, repeat frostbite, and damage from the sun. The first goal of treatment is to re-warm the affected area.
Frostnip can be treated at home. If you think you may have frostnip, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If your clothes are wet, change into dry clothing. Immerse the affected area in warm water (100º to 105º Fahrenheit) to thaw the frozen tissue. Do not use hotter water as this may burn your skin. If warm water is not available, use your own body heat by, for instance tuck your hands into your armpits or cover your nose, ears, or face with dry hands.
CAUTION: Do not rub the affected area because this may increase damage to the tissue. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, or radiator to rewarm the affected area. These methods may warm your skin unevenly or may burn your skin, particularly if it’s numb and you cannot tell how hot the skin is getting.
If the skin tingles and burns as it warms, your circulation is returning. The skin may turn red, but should not blister or swell. If the skin does not seem to warm, if it remains numb, or if it does blister or swell, seek immediate medical attention.
Frostbite requires emergency medical care. If you think you may have frostbite, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If you cannot get medical help immediately and there's no risk that the area might be re-frozen before you get help, warm the affected area as you would for frostnip.
Understanding Frostbite -- Diagnosis and Treatment
In this article
How Is Frostbite Diagnosed?
Frostbite is initially diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical exam.
Various imaging techniques may be used to determine the severity of tissue damage three to five days after re-warming.
Understanding Frostbite
Find out more about frostbite:
Basics
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
After one to three weeks, imaging may also be used to help evaluate the condition of any potentially damaged blood vessels and to identify severely frostbitten areas that may need to be amputated.
What Are the Treatments for Frostbite?
Most people recover completely from frostbite, though the affected area may be more susceptible in the future to discomfort from cold weather, repeat frostbite, and damage from the sun. The first goal of treatment is to re-warm the affected area.
Frostnip can be treated at home. If you think you may have frostnip, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If your clothes are wet, change into dry clothing. Immerse the affected area in warm water (100º to 105º Fahrenheit) to thaw the frozen tissue. Do not use hotter water as this may burn your skin. If warm water is not available, use your own body heat by, for instance tuck your hands into your armpits or cover your nose, ears, or face with dry hands.
CAUTION: Do not rub the affected area because this may increase damage to the tissue. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, or radiator to rewarm the affected area. These methods may warm your skin unevenly or may burn your skin, particularly if it’s numb and you cannot tell how hot the skin is getting.
If the skin tingles and burns as it warms, your circulation is returning. The skin may turn red, but should not blister or swell. If the skin does not seem to warm, if it remains numb, or if it does blister or swell, seek immediate medical attention.
Frostbite requires emergency medical care. If you think you may have frostbite, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If you cannot get medical help immediately and there's no risk that the area might be re-frozen before you get help, warm the affected area as you would for frostnip.
