It’s an injury that seems like the stuff of nightmares – ears fall off, feet lose their toes and fingertips begin to turn black, as if they touched death itself.
Rather than death, when it comes to frostbite, the culprit is the cold.
But how exactly do cold temperatures then translate into decaying body parts and lost limbs? And how cold do temperatures have to be to cause frostbite?
Temperatures have to be down to the single-digits for frostbite to occur, according to the Cleveland Clinic – and the lower the temperature, the faster frostbite can set it.
For example, exposure to wind chill that is -15 degrees or lower can lead to frostbite in half an hour or less.
Thoes kind of cold temperatures then cause skin and tissue cells to freeze – in other words, frostbite begins to set in.
Frostbite occurs in three stages of progressively worsening conditions: frostnip, superficial and severe.
Frostnip is the first and mildest version of frostbite. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms may not always be visible, but if they are, they might include skin that has turned red or a pale white and may begin to feel numb, tingly or cold.
Skin experiencing frostnip may be rewarmed without permanent damage.
With superficial frostbite, unlike frostnip, skin may feel warm. At this time, water in the skin is beginning to freeze, and the skin might swell or sting.
According to the Mayo Clinic, rewarming skin with a superficial frostbite may result in discoloration, along with swelling, stinging and burning. Within 12-36 hours, a fluid-filled blister may appear.
FROSTBITE SURVIVOR CREATES WARM GEAR FOR THE HOMELESS
Lastly, the third and most serious form of frostbite is severe frostbite.
Severe frostbite involves damage throughout all layers of the skin and the tissues underneath. Skin becomes blue-gray or white and loses all feeling in the affected area.
According to the Mayo Clinic, joints and muscles may stop working. After rewarming, the affected area grows blisters. Plus, the tissue becomes hard and turns black as it dies.
To prevent frostbite, it is important to remain vigilant in cold weather. Stay aware of the first signs of frostbite, along with ways to properly and safely rewarm your skin without causing further damage.
The Mayo Clinic offers the following ways to dress warmly and prevent frostbite:
If your skin does become frostbitten, the American Academy of Dermatologists Association recommends gently rewarming the affected areas, drink warm liquids and consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Also make sure not to break any blisters that may form, and seek medical attention for superficial and severe cases of frostbite.