Dealing with Frostbite
Wintertime can bring lots of great things like the holidays, snowmen and eggnog. Unfortunately, living in freezing cold temperatures can cause several health problems like hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite is damage to the skin and underlying tissue (usually in the extremities like fingers, toes, ears and nose) that occurs as a result of extreme cold. Frostbite can be caused by insufficient blood circulation when your body is dealing with freezing temperatures. Factors like extreme cold, wind chill and poor clothing can lead to frostbite.
Luckily, there are many ways one can prevent frostbite. Wearing mittens instead of gloves keeps your fingers warmer which is important because fingers and toes are the most susceptible to frostbite. Wearing more thin layers rather than a few thicker layers of clothing helps as well. It’s also important to make sure any boots or shoes you’re wearing aren’t too tight as that will affect circulation. Wearing hats, waterproof shoes and dry clothes are a must. Seeking shelter during a storm or extreme levels of cold are important. If children are playing outside during the cold, bring them inside to a warm environment for a few minutes every hour. If left out in the cold too long, trouble could brew. One lesser known fact is that drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking can increase the body’s vulnerability to the cold –so staying away from those activities could go a long way in preventing frostbite.
If you have been in the cold for a long time, check your extremities for signs of frostbite. The first signs are reddish skin and experiencing a painful sensation. If this occurs and you do have frostbite, it’s important to get in touch with a doctor or go to the ER. If possible, before heading to the doctor or ER, try to restore warmth and bandage the affected area.
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