What is Frostbite?
Frostbite refers to the freezing of body tissue (usually skin) that results when the blood vessels contract, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the affected body parts.
Normal sensation is lost, and color changes also occur in these tissues.
Frostbite is most likely to affect body parts that are farther away from the body core and, therefore, have less blood flow. These include your feet, toes, hands, fingers, nose, and ears.
There are three degrees of cold injury: frost nip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite.
Normal sensation is lost, and color changes also occur in these tissues.
Frostbite is most likely to affect body parts that are farther away from the body core and, therefore, have less blood flow. These include your feet, toes, hands, fingers, nose, and ears.
There are three degrees of cold injury: frost nip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite.
Although children, older people, and those with circulatory problems are at greater risk for frostbite, most cases occur in adults between 30 and 49.
If you develop frostbite, you may not realize at first that anything is wrong, because the affected area may be numb. With prompt medical attention, most people recover fully from frostbite.
If you develop frostbite, you may not realize at first that anything is wrong, because the affected area may be numb. With prompt medical attention, most people recover fully from frostbite.
However, if severe frostbite occurs, permanent damage is possible depending on how long and how deeply the tissue was frozen.
In severe cases, blood flow to the area may stop, and blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones may be permanently damaged. If the frozen tissue dies, the affected area may need to be amputated.
In severe cases, blood flow to the area may stop, and blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones may be permanently damaged. If the frozen tissue dies, the affected area may need to be amputated.
What Causes Frostbite?
Frostbite is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, particularly if they are accompanied by a low wind-chill factor. It may also occur following more brief exposure to very cold temperature.
Your body works to stay alive first, and to stay functioning second.
In conditions of prolonged cold exposure, the body sends signals to the blood vessels in the arms and legs telling them to constrict (narrow). By slowing blood flow to the skin, the body is able to send more blood to the vital organs, supplying them with critical nutrients, while also preventing a further decrease in internal body temperature by exposing less blood to the outside cold.
Frostbite is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, particularly if they are accompanied by a low wind-chill factor. It may also occur following more brief exposure to very cold temperature.
Your body works to stay alive first, and to stay functioning second.
In conditions of prolonged cold exposure, the body sends signals to the blood vessels in the arms and legs telling them to constrict (narrow). By slowing blood flow to the skin, the body is able to send more blood to the vital organs, supplying them with critical nutrients, while also preventing a further decrease in internal body temperature by exposing less blood to the outside cold.
As this process continues and the extremities (the parts farthest from the heart) become colder and colder, a condition called the hunter's response is initiated. The body's blood vessels are dilated (widened) for a period of time and then constricted again. Periods of dilatation are cycled with times of constriction in order to preserve as much function in the extremities as possible. However, when the brain senses that the person is in danger of hypothermia (when the body temperature drops significantly below 98.6 F [37 C]), it permanently constricts these blood vessels in order to prevent them from returning cold blood to the internal organs. When this happens, frostbite has begun.
Frostbite is caused by two different means: cell death at the time of exposure and further cell deterioration and death because of a lack of oxygen.
In the first, ice crystals form in the space outside of the cells. Water is lost from the cell's interior, and dehydration promotes the destruction of the cell.
In the second, the damaged lining of the blood vessels is the main culprit. As blood flow returns to the extremities upon rewarming, it finds that the blood vessels themselves are injured, also by the cold. The vessel walls become permeable and blood leaks out into the tissues. Blood flow is impeded and turbulent and small clots form in the smallest vessels of the extremities. Because of these blood flow problems, complicated interactions occur, leading to inflammation that causes further tissue damage. This injury is the primary determinant of the amount of tissue damage that occurs in the end.
It is rare for the inside of the cells themselves to be frozen. This phenomenon is only seen in very rapid freezing injuries, such as those produced by frozen metals.
Three frostbite stages are:
The first degree - irritates the skin
The second degree - blisters but has no major damage
The third degree - involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage
How Can I Prevent Frostbite?
Frostbite can result in serious consequences, so prevention is extremely important. If you are planning outdoor activities, check weather forecasts frequently and heed warnings about cold temperatures and possible storms that might strand you in dangerous conditions. Avoid risky situations -- such as hikes or camping trips in cold weather -- that may be beyond your experience level. It is also wise to consult local park rangers or other authorities about the weather, terrain, avalanche danger, and other conditions that may interfere with your ability to obtain shelter or emergency help.
Frostbite is caused by two different means: cell death at the time of exposure and further cell deterioration and death because of a lack of oxygen.
In the first, ice crystals form in the space outside of the cells. Water is lost from the cell's interior, and dehydration promotes the destruction of the cell.
In the second, the damaged lining of the blood vessels is the main culprit. As blood flow returns to the extremities upon rewarming, it finds that the blood vessels themselves are injured, also by the cold. The vessel walls become permeable and blood leaks out into the tissues. Blood flow is impeded and turbulent and small clots form in the smallest vessels of the extremities. Because of these blood flow problems, complicated interactions occur, leading to inflammation that causes further tissue damage. This injury is the primary determinant of the amount of tissue damage that occurs in the end.
It is rare for the inside of the cells themselves to be frozen. This phenomenon is only seen in very rapid freezing injuries, such as those produced by frozen metals.
Three frostbite stages are:
The first degree - irritates the skin
The second degree - blisters but has no major damage
The third degree - involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage
How Can I Prevent Frostbite?
Frostbite can result in serious consequences, so prevention is extremely important. If you are planning outdoor activities, check weather forecasts frequently and heed warnings about cold temperatures and possible storms that might strand you in dangerous conditions. Avoid risky situations -- such as hikes or camping trips in cold weather -- that may be beyond your experience level. It is also wise to consult local park rangers or other authorities about the weather, terrain, avalanche danger, and other conditions that may interfere with your ability to obtain shelter or emergency help.
To prevent or reduce your risk of frostbite, dress properly in cold temperatures. This includes protecting your hands, feet, nose, and ears. Bundle in warm, layered, and loose-fitting clothes, a hat and scarf or ski mask, warm socks, and mittens (not gloves), and make sure children are properly bundled. Go indoors periodically to warm up. Wet clothing or damp skin can increase the risk of frostbite.
These guidelines may also help you prevent frostbite:
Frostbite Self-Care at Home:
This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results. If medical care is not immediately available and there is no chance of refreezing, you can use body heat to warm an injured body part (for example placing frostbitten fingers beneath the armpit). Another option if medical care is not readily available, and there is no chance of refreezing, is to immerse the affected areas in warm (not hot) water.
Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.
Above all, keep in mind that the final amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.
Frostbite Medical Treatment:
- If you've just arrived in a cold climate from a warmer one, give your body time to adjust before spending extended periods outside.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or during exposure to cold weather because alcohol may keep you from realizing your body is becoming too cold.
- Avoid smoking cigarettes, which can negatively affect circulation and increase the risk of frostbite.
- At the first sign of redness, blueness, or whiteness or pain in your skin, which may indicate that you are becoming too cold, get out of the cold, warm up, and protect exposed skin.
Frostbite Self-Care at Home:
- First, call for help.
- Keep the affected body part elevated in order to reduce swelling
- Move to a warm area to prevent further heat loss.
- Note that many people with frostbite may be experiencing hypothermia.
- Saving their lives is more important than preserving a finger or foot.
- Do not walk on frostbitten toes or feet if at all possible.
- Remove all wet clothing and constrictive jewellery because they may further block blood flow.
- Give the person warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids to drink.
- Apply a dry, sterile bandage, place cotton between any involved fingers or toes (to prevent rubbing), and take the person to a medical facility as soon as possible.
- Never rewarm an affected area if there is any chance it may freeze again.
This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results. If medical care is not immediately available and there is no chance of refreezing, you can use body heat to warm an injured body part (for example placing frostbitten fingers beneath the armpit). Another option if medical care is not readily available, and there is no chance of refreezing, is to immerse the affected areas in warm (not hot) water.
Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.
Above all, keep in mind that the final amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.
Frostbite Medical Treatment:
- After initial life-threatening problems are excluded or managed, rewarming is the highest priority in medical care.
- After rewarming, post-thaw care is undertaken in order to prevent infection and a continuing lack of oxygen to the area.
- People with frostbite are (often) hospitalized for at least 1 to 2 days to determine the extent of injury and to receive further treatment.
- For deep frostbite, daily water therapy in a 40 C (104 F) whirlpool bath will be performed in order to remove any dead tissue.
Homeopathic Treatment for Frostbite:
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Bibliography:
http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/understanding-frostbite-basics
http://www.naturopathicdoctorwoodstock.ca/naturopathic-approaches-for-frostbite/
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/frostbite/page5_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/basics/symptoms/con-20034608
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/hypothermiafrostbite/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Frostbite/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.homeopathycenter.org/frostbite
http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/understanding-frostbite-basics
http://www.naturopathicdoctorwoodstock.ca/naturopathic-approaches-for-frostbite/
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/frostbite/page5_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/basics/symptoms/con-20034608
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/hypothermiafrostbite/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Frostbite/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.homeopathycenter.org/frostbite