Frostbite and frostnip are both cold-related injuries that occur when skin and underlying tissues are exposed to freezing temperatures, but they differ in severity. Frostnip is a mild form of cold injury where the skin turns pale or red, feels cold, and may tingle or burn. It can usually be treated by gently warming the affected area, and there is no permanent damage. Frostbite, on the other hand, is more serious and occurs when the skin and deeper tissues freeze, causing permanent damage to the affected areas. Symptoms include numbness, a hard or waxy feel to the skin, and blisters. Frostbite requires immediate medical attention, and rewarming should only be done under medical supervision to avoid further damage. Preventing both involves dressing in layers, covering exposed skin, and avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
What Is Frostbite?
Frostbite is a skin injury caused by exposure to freezing temperatures. In severe cases, it can damage deeper tissues, including muscles and bones.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Frostbite?
Children with frostbite may have skin that appears white and waxy, feels numb, and is hard to the touch. Kids are more susceptible to frostbite than adults because they lose body heat faster and may resist coming inside from the cold.
How Is Frostbite Treated?
- Seek Immediate Medical Help: Call the doctor right away or take your child to the emergency room.
- Prevent Further Injury: If the feet are affected, carry your child instead of allowing them to walk on frostbitten feet.
- Warm the Child: Move your child into a warm, dry environment and replace any wet clothing.
First-Aid Treatment While Waiting for Medical Help:
- Avoid Re-Thawing: Do not thaw the frostbitten area if there’s a risk it might refreeze before reaching medical care, as refreezing can cause severe tissue damage.
- Rewarm Gently: Submerge the affected areas in warm water (around 100°F or 38°C). If warm water isn’t available, use warm blankets or body heat. Avoid direct heat sources like fires or heating pads, as numb skin can burn easily.
- Avoid Rubbing: Do not rub the frostbitten skin or apply snow to it.
- Expect Sensations: Rewarming can cause a burning sensation, and the skin may blister, swell, and change color. When the skin turns pink and regains feeling, it is thawed.
- Use Sterile Dressings: If available, apply sterile dressings loosely to the area, placing them between fingers and toes if they are affected. Keep the area clean and avoid disturbing any blisters.
- Prevent Refreezing: Keep thawed areas warm and still. If trained in first aid, splinting the affected area can help minimize further injury.
Can Frostbite Be Prevented?
To reduce the risk of frostbite:
- Monitor Weather: Keep track of weather forecasts and avoid exposure in extreme cold.
- Dress Warmly: Dress kids in layers, including hats, gloves, scarves, thick socks, and insulated boots. Use moisture-wicking inner layers and windproof, waterproof outer layers.
- Take Breaks: Ensure children come indoors regularly to warm up.
- Change Wet Clothing: Remove wet clothing or shoes immediately, as they draw heat away from the body.
- Prepare for Emergencies: If traveling to remote areas, carry emergency supplies and inform someone of your plans.
- Learn First Aid: Take a first-aid and CPR class to be prepared for emergencies.
What Is Frostnip?
Frostnip is a milder cold injury that usually affects exposed skin, such as the cheeks, nose, ears, fingers, and toes. The skin may turn red and feel numb or tingly. Frostnip can be treated at home and usually improves with rewarming.
How Is Frostnip Treated?
- Get Indoors: Bring your child inside immediately.
- Remove Wet Clothing: Wet clothes can draw heat away from the body.
- Rewarm Gently: Soak the affected areas in warm (not hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes until feeling returns. Do not let your child control the water temperature, as numb hands may not detect heat and could lead to burns. Body heat can also help rewarm cold areas.
- Avoid Direct Heat: Do not use heating pads, stoves, fireplaces, or radiators, as numb skin can burn easily.
When to Call a Doctor: If sensation does not return after rewarming or if there are signs of frostbite, contact your doctor immediately.