SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: As Temperatures Drop, Watch For The Signs Of Frostbite

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

January 7, 2021

Wintertime may bring nostalgic imagery of Jack Frost nipping at your nose, but as temperatures continue to drop throughout the season, it is important to take cold weather seriously.

Changes in temperature, humidity and even atmospheric pressure have long been apparent to many orthopedic patients – especially the nearly one-quarter of American adults suffering from arthritis – as these fluctuations have been tied to increased joint pain.

However, cold weather can have other serious impacts on health. Many of us have heard of frostbite all our lives – almost like the stuff of legend schoolkids fear if they fail to wear their mittens. But what is frostbite, and what should you do if you get it?

“The good news is that frostbite is most often treatable but, like many medical conditions, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as it is possible to sustain permanent damage,” said Dr. Clayton Nelson, an orthopedic hand specialist with SSM Health Bone & Joint │OSOI in Oklahoma City. “Taking preventive measures to keep your body warm and knowing what signs to look for is key in avoiding any long-term impacts.”

Frostbite is a painful injury we get from exposing our skin to freezing temperatures for too long. Ice crystals form inside the skin, causing damage between cells. It is most common in fingers and toes, as well as the tips of the nose and ears.

• Stage 1: Your hands may be quite cold and a bit numb, but color and texture are unchanged.
• Stage 2: Referred to as “frostnip,” numbness sets in and color starts to change visibly.
• Stage 3: Frostnip symptoms intensify, and blisters will often start to form, indicating superficial frostbite. This is progressing to be very serious.
• Stage 4: Frostbite advances past the epidermis into the dermis and subcutaneous layers. Joint function decreases and skin blackens as tissue dies.

Dr. Nelson emphasizes the best way to avoid frostbite is through preventive measures. The longer your hands are exposed to the cold, the more damage your hand will sustain. Stay out of extreme temperatures or, if you must go into them, make every effort to ensure you have warm clothing and even supplemental heating materials to keep your entire body warm, including your limbs and face.

If you believe the first stages of frostbite may be coming on, act immediately to stop progression. Some steps you can take include:

• Get out of the cold as soon as possible.
• Drink warm beverages to raise your body temperature.
• Hold hand warmers or hot beverages near the impacted skin.
• Refrain from efforts, such as labor using your hands, that could cause further strain or damage until symptoms subside.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.