Frostbite. Frostbite Mild frostbite

Frostbite represents damage to any part of the body (even death) under the influence of low temperatures. If you stay outdoors for a long time, especially in high humidity and strong winds, frostbite can occur in the fall and spring when the air temperature is above zero.

Frostbite leads to frostbite tight and wet clothes and shoes, physical fatigue, hunger, forced long-term immobile and uncomfortable position, previous cold injury, weakening of the body as a result of previous diseases, sweating of the feet, chronic vascular diseases of the lower extremities and the cardiovascular system, severe mechanical damage with blood loss, smoking, etc.

Statistics show that almost all severe frostbite leading to amputation of limbs occurred in a state strong alcohol intoxication .

Under the influence of cold, complex changes occur in tissues, the nature of which depends on the level and duration of the temperature decrease. When exposed to temperatures below -30 degrees C, the main significance in frostbite is the damaging effect of cold directly on the tissue, and cell death occurs. When exposed to temperatures down to -10-20 degrees C, at which most frostbites occur, vascular changes in the form of spasm of the smallest blood vessels are of leading importance. As a result, blood flow slows down and the action of tissue enzymes stops.

Signs of frostbite and general hypothermia:

The skin is pale bluish;

Temperature, tactile and pain sensitivity are absent or sharply reduced;

When warming up, severe pain, redness and swelling of soft tissues appear;

With deeper damage, blisters with bloody contents may appear after 12-24 hours;

With general hypothermia, a person is lethargic, indifferent to his surroundings, his skin is pale, cold, his pulse is rapid, his blood pressure is low, his body temperature is below 36°C

There are several degrees of frostbite:

Frostbite I degree(the mildest) usually occurs with short exposure to cold. The affected area of ​​the skin is pale, turns red after warming, and in some cases has a purplish-red tint; swelling develops. There is no dead skin. By the end of the week after frostbite, slight peeling of the skin is sometimes observed. Full recovery occurs 5-7 days after frostbite. The first signs of such frostbite are a burning sensation, tingling sensation followed by numbness of the affected area. Then skin itching and pain appear, which can be either minor or severe.

Frostbite II degree occurs with prolonged exposure to cold. In the initial period, paleness appears, the skin becomes cold, sensitivity is lost, but these phenomena are observed with all degrees of frostbite. Therefore, the most characteristic sign is the formation of blisters filled with transparent contents in the first days after injury. Complete restoration of the integrity of the skin occurs within 1-2 weeks, granulations and scars are not formed. In case of frostbite of the second degree after warming up, the pain is more intense and lasting than with frostbite of the first degree, skin itching and burning are disturbing.

For third degree frostbite the duration of the period of cold exposure and decrease in temperature in tissues increases. The blisters that form in the initial period are filled with bloody contents, their bottom is blue-purple, insensitive to irritation. The death of all skin elements occurs with the development of granulations and scars as a result of frostbite. Fallen nails do not grow back or grow deformed. The rejection of dead tissue ends in the 2-3rd week, after which scarring occurs, which lasts up to 1 month. The intensity and duration of pain is more pronounced than with frostbite of the second degree.

Frostbite IV degree occurs with prolonged exposure to cold; the decrease in temperature in the tissues is greatest during it. It is often combined with frostbite of the third and even second degree. All layers of soft tissue die, bones and joints are often affected.

The damaged area of ​​the limb is very bluish, sometimes with a marbled color. Swelling develops immediately after warming and increases rapidly. The skin temperature is significantly lower than the tissue surrounding the frostbite area. Bubbles develop in less frostbitten areas where there is frostbite of III-II degree. The absence of blisters with significant swelling and loss of sensitivity indicate degree IV frostbite.

In conditions of prolonged exposure to low air temperatures, not only local damage is possible, but also general cooling of the body. General cooling of the body should be understood as a condition that occurs when body temperature drops below 34 degrees C.

First aid for frostbite

First of all, it is necessary to warm the victim in a warm room. Warming of the affected part of the body should be gradual, slow, mostly passive. Unacceptable(!) rub frostbitten areas of the body with hands, tissues, alcohol, and even more so with snow! (Such recipes are extremely tenacious and are still popular among the people.) The fact is that these measures contribute to the formation of blood clots in the vessels, deepening the processes of destruction of the affected tissues.

The victim needs wrap yourself in a warm blanket(with general hypothermia) or (with frostbite) apply a thermal insulating cotton-gauze bandage to the affected part of the body(7 layers) to accumulate heat and prevent premature warming of superficial tissues (and, accordingly, the formation of a temperature difference between superficial and deep tissues). The use of a thermal insulating bandage makes it possible to slow down the external warming of the affected area several times while ensuring general warming of the body.

If your arm or leg is frostbitten, you can warm it up in the bath, gradually increasing the water temperature from 20 to 40 ° C and for 40 minutes gently (!) massaging the limb. On the inner surface of the thigh or shoulder you can additionally put a warm heating pad u. To the victim give plenty of warm drinks- for example, sweet tea.

From drug treatment It is advisable to use an anesthetic (analgin - 0.1 g) and a vasodilator (eufillin - 1/4 tablet, noshpa - 0.005 g or nicotinic acid - 0.01 g) agents, as well as tincture of valerian or motherwort (5-10 drops) as calming.

If warming up after frostbite is accompanied by moderate pain (the victim gradually calms down), sensitivity, temperature and color of the skin, and independent full movements are restored, then the limb is wiped dry, the skin is treated with 70% alcohol (or vodka) and a dry bandage with cotton is applied. The ear, nose or cheek are generously lubricated with Vaseline and a dry warming bandage with cotton wool is applied.

Prevention of hypothermia and frostbite

There are a few simple rules that will allow you to avoid hypothermia and frostbite in severe frost:

- Don't drink alcohol- Alcohol intoxication causes greater heat loss. An additional factor is the inability to concentrate on the signs of frostbite.

- Don't smoke in the cold- Smoking reduces peripheral blood circulation, and thus makes the limbs more vulnerable.

- Wear loose clothes- this promotes normal blood circulation. Dress like a cabbage - in this case, between the layers of clothing there are always layers of air that perfectly retain heat.

Tight shoes, lack of insoles, and damp, dirty socks are often the main prerequisites for the appearance of abrasions and frostbite. Special attention should be paid to shoes for those whose feet often sweat. You need to put warm insoles in your boots, and wear wool socks instead of cotton socks - they absorb moisture, leaving your feet dry.

- Don't go out into the cold without mittens, a hat and a scarf. The best option is mittens made of water-repellent and windproof fabric with fur inside. Gloves made from natural materials, although comfortable, do not protect against frost. The cheeks and chin can be protected with a scarf. In windy, cold weather, before going outside, lubricate exposed areas of the body with a special cream.

- Do not wear metal ones in the cold(including gold, silver) jewelry.

- Use a friend's help: Watch your friend's face, especially the ears, nose and cheeks, for any noticeable changes in color, and he or she will watch yours.

- Don't take off your shoes in the cold from frostbitten limbs - they will swell and you will not be able to put your shoes back on. It is necessary to get to a warm room as soon as possible. If your hands are cold, try warming them with your armpits.

Returning home after a long walk in the cold, be sure to make sure there is no frostbite on the limbs, back, ears, nose, etc.

As soon as you feel hypothermia or freezing of your extremities while walking, you must go to any warm place as soon as possible- shop, cafe, entrance - for warming up and inspecting areas potentially vulnerable to frostbite.

- Hide from the wind- the likelihood of frostbite in the wind is much higher.

- Don't get your skin wet- water conducts heat much better than air. Don't go out into the cold with wet hair after a shower. Wet clothes and shoes (for example, a person has fallen into water) must be removed, wiped off the water, if possible, put on dry ones and bring the person into warmth as quickly as possible. In the forest, you need to light a fire, undress and dry your clothes, during which time you vigorously exercise and warm yourself by the fire.

- Before going out into the cold, you need to eat.

- Children and the elderly are more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. When letting your child walk outside in the cold, remember that it is advisable for him to return to a warm room every 15-20 minutes and warm up.

Finally, remember that the best way to get out of an unpleasant situation is to not get into it. In severe frost, try not to leave the house unless absolutely necessary.

Frostbite (frostbite) is tissue damage that occurs at low temperatures (usually below −10 ºC). It can be observed even at zero ambient temperature - in cases where large heat losses occur per unit time.

Source: depositphotos.com

First of all, protruding and insufficiently protected parts of the body are exposed to aggressive influence: ears, nose, cheeks, hands, feet. Subsequently, general hypothermia of the body develops with a decrease in body temperature to critical levels.

Risk factors that reduce the effectiveness of thermoregulation and contribute to the development of frostbite:

• increased heat transfer (sharp wind, high humidity, light clothing);
• local microcirculation disorder (tight shoes, prolonged immobility, forced body position);
• concomitant conditions that weaken the body’s resistance to extreme influences (trauma, blood loss, physical or emotional exhaustion, stress);
• vascular diseases.

The greatest risk of frostbite, according to statistics, is for persons under the influence of alcohol (severe or moderate severity). This is due to partial or complete disorientation, a slower response to stimuli, and a specific vegetative background.

Depending on the duration and intensity of aggressive exposure, as well as on the nature of tissue damage, 4 degrees of frostbite are distinguished.

The initial manifestations are similar in all cases (which does not allow us to reliably determine the degree of frostbite in the first hours after the injury):

• pale and cold skin;
• decreased sensitivity.

After the appearance of the first general symptoms, symptoms specific to each degree of frostbite develop:

1. It is characterized by mild soreness of the skin; after warming, intense redness and slight swelling are noted; peeling of the affected areas is possible without the development of necrosis. After 5-7 days, skin manifestations completely disappear.
2. Within 24-48 hours, blisters of various sizes appear on damaged areas of the skin, filled with transparent (serous) contents. The pain is intense, characterized by itching and burning of the injured skin. With proper treatment, the skin condition is restored within 7-14 days, and there are no scar deformities at the site of the lesion.
3. Necrosis of the damaged skin occurs, which leads to loss of sensitivity and the formation, after warming, of massive painful blisters with a purplish-bluish base, filled with bloody contents. Subsequently, the blisters necrotize and are rejected with the formation of scars and granulations. Scarring can last up to a month, and rejection of the nail plates also occurs, sometimes irreversibly.
4. It manifests itself as total necrosis of not only the skin, but also the underlying soft tissues (up to the bones and joints). The injured areas of the skin are cyanotic, after warming a sharply increasing swelling forms, there are no blisters, the sensitivity of the skin is not restored after warming, and gangrene subsequently develops. The affected areas are subject to amputation.

With prolonged exposure to low temperatures, general hypothermia is possible, as evidenced by a decrease in body temperature to 34 ºC or lower (up to 29-30 ºC in severe cases). Depending on the severity, the condition manifests itself as depression of the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems of varying intensity, up to coma and death.

First aid for frostbite

In case of damage of any intensity, it is first necessary to deliver the victim to a warm room as soon as possible. If there is a possibility of re-frostbite, the damaged part of the body should not be allowed to thaw; otherwise, you should cover it carefully. Further measures depend on the degree of frostbite.

For frostbite of the first degree you need:

• warm the affected areas of the skin (by breathing, gentle rubbing with a soft woolen cloth or hands);
• apply a warming cotton-gauze bandage in several layers.

For frostbite of II–IV degree you need:

• exclude rapid warming (massage, rubbing);
• apply a heat-insulating bandage (bandage and cotton wool in several layers, you can use scarves, wool, shawls);
• fix the frostbitten limb;
• call an ambulance team.

What should you not do if you have frostbite?

• rub the frostbitten surface with snow or a hard cloth (there is a high probability of injury and subsequent infection of the damaged skin);
• expose the frostbite site to intense heat (using a hot bath, heating pad, heater, etc.);
• rub damaged skin with oil, fat, alcohol, as this can complicate the course of the disease;
• open the blisters yourself and remove necrotic tissue.

When should you see a doctor?

At home, only first degree frostbite can be treated; in all other cases it is necessary to seek specialized help.

In case of frostbite of the second degree, the blisters are opened and treated in a surgical room. To prevent infection, an aseptic dressing is applied and appropriate therapy is prescribed.

In case of grade III–IV frostbite, necrotic tissue is removed in a hospital setting and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy is administered.

Good day, dear readers!

Winter is in full swing, and although the average annual temperature in northern regions around the world has increased, this does not mean that one day the frost can reach -30° or below. To avoid frostbite, I suggest you read the information in this article, in which we will not only look at what frostbite is, but also the first signs, symptoms, causes, prevention and first aid for this pathological condition. In addition, New Year is approaching, which many people celebrate, after which some of them fall asleep on the street without feeling the cold. So…

What is frostbite?

Frostbite (frostbite)– damage to body tissues due to exposure to low temperatures. Extreme frostbite can lead to tissue death, which is why, in some cases, frostbite on the limbs sometimes results in amputation.

Frostbite affects mainly protruding parts of the body - fingers and toes, then all extremities, as well as open areas of the body - nose, cheeks, ears and face in general.

Frostbite of body parts usually begins with exposure of the body to an ambient temperature of -10°C - -20°C, however, in regions with high humidity, or in autumn-spring, it can occur at -5°C or even 0 °C. The process of frostbite can be accelerated by a piercing strong cold wind or the presence of moisture (sweat) under clothing or in shoes.

Frostbite - ICD

ICD-10: T33-T35;
ICD-9: 991.0-991.3.

Signs of frostbite

Symptoms of frostbite are characterized by 4 degrees, each of which has its own characteristics. Let's look at the degree of frostbite in the body in more detail, but first, let's find out the first signs of frostbite.

The first signs of frostbite

• , and then redness of the skin;
• A burning sensation on the skin at the site of its lesion;
• Tingling, with a feeling of numbness;
• Minor pain, sometimes with tingling;
• Skin itching.

Degrees of frostbite

Frostbite 1st degree (mild frostbite). The safest, so to speak, frostbite occurs when a person is in the cold for a short time. Signs of mild frostbite are paleness of the affected area of ​​the skin, which, after warming it up, acquires a reddish tint, sometimes purplish-red, and after a while (a week) begins to peel off. In some cases, swelling may develop. Other symptoms include burning, numbness, itching and tingling in the affected area. Tissue necrosis usually does not occur with 1st degree frostbite. With the right measures, recovery occurs 5-7 days after the lesion.

Like other degrees of frostbite, it is characterized by a feeling of burning, numbness, itching and pain, sometimes with tingling in the affected area of ​​the skin, but with greater intensity. However, with frostbite of the 2nd degree, bubbles with clear liquid already form on the affected area. Healing usually occurs within 1-2 weeks; scars and other signs of injury do not remain on the skin.

It is characterized by more pronounced burning, numbness and acute pain in the affected area, in which the blisters are already filled with bloody content. Body temperature begins to drop. The skin at this stage begins to die, and even after recovery, granulations and scars remain on the affected areas. If your nails peel off due to frostbite, they then grow narrower, usually deformed. Recovery occurs within 2-3 weeks of treatment.

Frostbite 4th degree. It is characterized by severe pain in frostbitten areas and complete numbness. Soft tissues die, and bones and joints are often damaged. The skin takes on a bluish color, sometimes with marbled outlines. Body temperature drops. Blisters with bloody contents form next to frozen tissue. When warming up, severe swelling of frostbitten skin occurs. Sensitivity is usually lost. Sometimes treatment for grade 4 frostbite ends in gangrene and amputation of the frostbitten area/part of the body. In the inflammatory gangrenous process.

"Iron" frostbite

The so-called “iron” frostbite is a cold injury that develops as a result of contact of warm skin with a very cold metal object. For example, it is not uncommon for children to have their tongues stuck to a street fence or other metal structure.

The causes of frostbite, or factors that contribute to frostbite in the body, can be:

Weather. As we already mentioned in the article, the main cause of frostbite is exposure to low ambient temperatures on the body. The rate of frostbite increases if there is high humidity at a person’s location or if the wind blows on exposed areas of his body.

Clothes and shoes. When the clothing on the body is not enough to protect the body from the cold, then not only frostbite can occur, but also the person, with all the resulting results, including loss of consciousness and death. Also remember that synthetic fabrics are not a good way to protect against the cold, because... The skin under synthetic clothing usually does not breathe and therefore becomes covered in sweat. Next, the sweat cools down and, as a good conductor of temperature, transfers cold to the body. To prevent this from happening, try to give preference to clothing made from natural fabrics.

Shoes that are incorrectly selected for winter or cold weather are also often the cause of frostbite on the toes. This is usually facilitated by tight, uninsulated shoes with thin soles. Tight shoes cut off blood circulation and don't allow warm air to ventilate through your toes. Thin soles (up to 1 cm) and lack of insulation cannot protect your feet from good frost.

Choose clothes and shoes for winter that are slightly larger than your size, so that there is always room for warm air ventilation between your body and outerwear.

Other causes of frostbite include:

• Exposed areas of the body in the cold - no scarf, gloves, headdress, hood;
• Lack of body movement in the cold for a long time;
• Alcohol or drug intoxication;
• Overwork, malnutrition, (lack of dietary fat, carbohydrates or);
• Injuries, especially with bleeding, traumatic brain injury;
• The presence of various diseases, for example, heart failure, cachexia, Addison's disease, and others.

Providing assistance for frostbite is aimed at warming the body and normalizing blood circulation in it. Let's look at first aid for frostbite in detail, step by step. So…

1. To warm up, take shelter in a windless place, preferably warm. If the victim cannot move independently, try to move him to a similar place.

2. Remove the frostbitten person's outer clothing and shoes, and if the inner clothing is wet, remove them too.

3. Wrap the person in a blanket. You can place heating pads with warm water (not hot) under the blanket.

4. To warm up, do not use contact of the frostbitten area with hot water, radiator, fireplace, heater and fire, or heat with a hairdryer, because these actions can cause burns, since the damaged part of the body is usually insensitive, and also destroy blood vessels. Warming must be done gradually!

5. Give the person a drink of hot tea, warm milk, fruit juice. Under no circumstances should you drink coffee or alcohol, which can only make the situation worse.

6. After the above steps, if possible, a frostbitten person can be placed in a bath with warm water, approximately 18-20°C, after some time, the water temperature can be increased, but gradually, to 37°C-40°C.

7. After the bath, carefully dry your skin with a towel, dress in dry clothes made from natural fabrics and lie back under the blanket, applying warm heating pads. Continue drinking hot tea.

8. If there are no blisters on the frostbitten area, wipe it with vodka or alcohol and apply a sterile bandage to it. You can begin to lightly massage the affected area with clean hands. Movements should be light so as not to damage the blood vessels, and directed towards the heart. If there are blisters in the area, massage should not be done in this place, so as not to spread it, for example.

9. Warming, rubbing and massage are done until the skin becomes reddish, warm and soft. During rewarming, the affected area may burn and swell.

10. If after the above steps sensitivity and mobility of the frostbitten part of the body does not appear, you need to call a doctor. When the protective functions of the immune system decrease, which makes a person vulnerable to various diseases, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is also disrupted, and this is another argument for consulting a doctor after frostbite, especially for children and the elderly.

Try not to use ointments for rubbing, because... they can aggravate the clinical picture of frostbite and complicate the further process of its treatment.

Mild frostbite, with the right actions, goes away in a couple of hours. In other cases, the speed of recovery depends on the professionalism of doctors and, of course, the Lord God!

First aid for “iron” frostbite

1. If a child sticks his tongue to metal, it is advisable to pour warm water over the grip area to avoid serious injury. If there is no water, you need to use warm breath. The heated metal usually releases its “victim”.

2. Disinfect the affected area - first rinse it with warm water, then, if it is not the tongue, treat the wounds with hydrogen peroxide. This product, thanks to its oxygen bubbles, will remove all dirt from the wound.

3. Stop the bleeding, which can be done with a hemostatic sponge or sterile bandage.

4. If the injury is severe or deep, consult a doctor.

Face. To warm up your face in the cold, you can do several deep bends forward or walk a little, leaning forward with your torso at the waist. Thus, blood circulation in the head improves. You can also rub your nose, cheeks and ears with your fingers, which also improves blood circulation in them and, accordingly, a surge of heat. Just refrain from rubbing frostbitten areas with snow, as this intensifies the pathological process of frostbite and can seriously harm the skin.

Fingers and toes. Remember how you threw a stone, in the same way, sharply, but without clenching your fingers into a fist, throw your arms forward. You can also put your fingers under your armpits. To warm your feet, you need to swing your legs back and forth, as if it were a pendulum moving. The more the legs swing and the higher the intensity of this action, the faster the legs warm up.

The body in general. Actively perform several elements of exercise - squats, push-ups, running in place.

However, remember, the more a person freezes, then warms up and freezes again, the worse it is for him, because... When warming up, sweat comes out of the skin, which is a good conductor of temperature, and if it cools down, then cold and frost will attack even more strongly.

Help the animals

Frost is a problem not only for many people, but also for animals. Some animals simply freeze to the floor and cannot get up on their own. Don’t be indifferent, fill a bottle with warm water and pour over the area where the animal is freezing. Feed him, if possible, give him a home, or bring him home for the night, and life will definitely reward you with the same kindness, and even more!

To avoid frostbite on your hands and feet, face and other parts of the body, pay attention to the following prevention rules:

— Do not go outside in severe frost unless necessary, and also do not drive a car in severe frost to distant places where the appearance of a car, and therefore help, may take a very long time. If the car stalls away from a populated area, do not get out of it unless necessary, so that warm air does not escape from the cabin. Call the rescuers, and if not, then leave a few signs near you on the road asking for help from passing vehicles.

— When going outside, dress carefully, leaving as little parts of your body exposed as possible.

— Clothes, especially underwear, should be made from natural fabrics. Instead of gloves, it is better to use mittens so that your fingers warm up against each other. Don't forget about the hood, which provides good protection from the wind. You can cover your face with a scarf. Shoes should be comfortable, not tight, with insulation, and the thickness of the sole should be at least 1 cm. Socks must be clean, dry and made of natural fabrics. Clothes and shoes should be slightly larger in size so that there is a layer of warm, well-ventilated air between the outer and lower clothing, as well as the foot and the wall of the shoe. Tight clothes interfere with blood circulation, and this is another reason to wear loose clothes and shoes. In addition, all outer clothing, preferably, should be waterproof.

- Dress like a cabbage, tucking all your clothes into each other.

— In the cold, you should not smoke or drink alcoholic or caffeine-containing drinks, which contributes to impaired blood circulation and the development of a deceptive feeling of warmth, while the skin actually gets frostbitten anyway.

— In frosty weather, do not go tired, hungry, after injuries or blood loss, on a diet with a minimum amount of fats and carbohydrates, hypotension, or poor coordination of movements.

— Do not carry heavy loads in cold weather, because... heavy bags pinching the fingers, disrupting blood circulation in them.

— Before going out into the cold, exposed areas of the body can be lubricated with special products (for example, special cream, lard or animal oil), but under no circumstances use moisturizers for these purposes.

— Do not wear metal jewelry in the cold, because... the metal cools quickly and can stick to the body, transferring cold to it, and can also contribute to cold injury.

- If you feel the first signs of frostbite, take shelter in a warm place - in a store, a cafe, or, in extreme cases, in the entrance, but if you are far in the mountains, call rescuers, and at this time take shelter at least under the snow, because it is a poor conductor of heat. You can bury yourself under the snow during a snowstorm.

— Do not, under any circumstances, remove shoes from frostbitten feet, as they may immediately swell, after which it may no longer be possible to put the shoes back on, and your feet will become even more vulnerable to frost.

- Hide from the wind.

— Don’t go out into the cold after a shower with wet clothes.

— When hiking, be sure to take a change of warm clothes with you, incl. socks, mittens, underwear, and don’t forget a thermos with hot tea.

— Don’t allow yourself to get frostbitten and warm up twice, because... this increases the risk of severe trauma to damaged tissues.

— Do not let children and elderly people out into the cold unattended for a long time.

- Do not give children objects with metal parts to play with in the cold - shovels, children's weapons, etc.

— After a long walk, examine yourself to see if you have frostbite; if so, follow the first aid steps, and then, if necessary, consult a doctor. Remember, if frostbitten tissue is left without proper attention, this can lead to gangrene, and then amputation of that part of the body.

Be careful!

Tags: frostbite on hands, frostbite on fingers, frostbite on feet, frostbite on face, frostbite on cheeks, frostbite on nose

When the temperature drops outside in winter, the risk of frostbite increases. Unfortunately, people often encounter its symptoms, but do not always know how to respond correctly to alleviate the condition and prevent complications. In harsh winter conditions, it is very important to know how to identify the symptoms of frostbite and protect yourself from it.

Frostbite is a specific reaction of tissues to low temperatures. As a rule, it is accompanied by hypothermia of the entire body. Different parts of the body are exposed to cold, but most often these are the fingers on the upper and lower extremities, ears, and nose. Depending on the causes and individual characteristics of the body, characteristic signs of frostbite may appear at -30, -20, -10 degrees. If the protruding parts of the body are not sufficiently protected, they may suffer even at above-zero temperatures, when there is strong wind and high humidity outside.

Low temperatures in certain cases can be fatal to humans. If mild degrees are accompanied by blueness of the skin, pallor, chills, then in severe cases there is loss of consciousness, impaired breathing and blood pressure, and convulsions. Lack of timely, correct assistance leads to death.

Causes

Various factors can cause frostbite on the skin. Due to wearing tight shoes and insufficiently warm clothes, heat loss increases, blood microcirculation in the small vessels of the skin is disrupted, and cells do not receive enough oxygen. The main reasons for the body’s reaction to cold are:

• staying in the cold for a long period;
• uncomfortable position of the body, limitation of its mobility;
• physical exhaustion of the body;
• weakened by stress and depression;
• poor nutrition and, as a result, a lack of micronutrients.

These factors provoke disruption of blood supply and nutrition to body tissues. The most dangerous phenomenon is considered to be frostbite in a state of severe alcohol intoxication. As a result of drinking alcohol, peripheral blood vessels dilate and the body loses heat more intensely. In addition, a person’s ability to adequately respond to what is happening and take any measures is impaired, and the feeling of danger disappears. Often, drunk people fall asleep in the cold, which leads to severe hypothermia and ends in death.

Symptoms

Due to exposure to low temperatures, complex pathological changes occur in the tissues of the body. If you pay attention to the primary signs of frostbite in time and take action, you can prevent dangerous consequences. Characteristic symptoms:

Symptoms depend on the degree of frostbite. In severe cases, severe hypoxia and tissue necrosis occurs, which is accompanied by loss of consciousness. As a result of frostbite, systemic damage can occur, triggered by the penetration of necrotic cells through the bloodstream into various internal organs.

Note! If primary signs appear, the patient should be given assistance and consult a specialist, since complications can be very dangerous to a person’s health and life. Even with warming, the patient’s condition will not improve, but will progress, as oxygen debt to the tissues occurs.

Classification

The clinical picture and prognosis depend on the degree of frostbite. There are four of them in total. While the first two cases can be treated at home, in other cases emergency medical care is required.

If a person spends a lot of time in the cold, not only local frostbite can occur, but also general hypothermia. The patient's body temperature is below 34 degrees, the pulse slows down, and breathing is impaired.

First aid

The actions that need to be taken to provide assistance to the patient depend on the degree of frostbite and the severity of symptoms. The first thing to do is to break the body’s contact with the cold and take measures to restore blood circulation in the affected area. You should also limit the spread of infection to nearby tissues. In this case, a non-professional can place the patient in a warm room, remove wet shoes and clothes, warm him up, and call an ambulance. First aid for frostbite is as follows:

• warming the affected area by rubbing, massage movements, and warm breathing;
• fixing frostbitten limbs with improvised means;
• applying a heat-insulating bandage to the surface of the skin;
• it is necessary to give the patient a warm drink and food;
• In this case, the tablets “No-shpa”, “Aspirin”, “Analgin”, “Papaverine” will be useful.

Do not rub the damaged areas of the patient’s skin with snow, as this can lead to damage to the blood vessels in the soft tissues of the extremities. Rubbing with oils and alcohol, as well as rapid warming with heating pads and other heat sources is strictly prohibited.

Treatment

Stage 2-4 frostbite poses a danger to the health and life of the patient, as it can lead to tissue necrosis, a catastrophic decrease in blood pressure and body temperature, and respiratory and heart failure. To prevent complications, after the patient’s condition has normalized, it is advisable to carry out drug therapy using the following drugs:

• painkillers (“Analgin”);
• medications with a vasodilating effect (“”, “No-shpa”);
• sedatives (“Valerian extract”).

During the warming process, the patient experiences strong painful sensations, because the sensitivity of the skin is restored. In this case, it is recommended to gently rub the alcohol solution into the skin. Frostbitten parts of the face are lubricated with Vaseline to soften the tissue and speed up the restoration of skin integrity.

Treatment with folk remedies

In the arsenal of traditional medicine there are a number of effective remedies that also help with frostbite. An infusion of calendula flowers is popular. It is prepared from dried flowers, which are poured with boiling water. This mixture should be left to infuse, then used to prepare compresses. They are applied to the affected areas 2 times a day for two weeks. For first-degree frostbite, ginger, lemon or garlic juice helps a lot. The products are simply rubbed into the skin, but only if there are no open wounds.

Soothe the skin and stimulate tissue restoration using a lotion made from a decoction of chamomile. But teas prepared from this plant, when taken orally, help normalize blood circulation. To speed up the healing process, you should take a bath with celery decoction twice a week. You can make the patient feel better with a decoction of viburnum fruits and leaves. A pumpkin pulp compress will help relieve inflammation. Potato peelings are effective for numbness in fingers and toes. Tinctures of motherwort and valerian have an analgesic and calming effect.

Traditional medicine only helps in the treatment of frostbite. The basis of therapy should be medications and procedures prescribed by a doctor. You cannot completely rely on folk recipes; before use, you should make sure that there is no allergy to one or another component.

The video shows frostbite, its causes, symptoms and consequences. What to do in case of tissue damage from cold? First aid for frostbite.

Prevention

Even if there is severe frost outside, it does not mean that you need to stay at home, because everyone has important things to do, study, work. To protect yourself from dangerous signs of frostbite, you should follow preventive measures. They are quite simple, but can protect human health or life. Here are some of the main recommendations:

• refusal to drink alcoholic beverages;
• avoiding smoking in the cold;
• choosing loose, high-quality clothing that does not interfere with normal blood circulation;
• comfortable shoes, insoles, always clean socks;
• do not go out into the cold weakened and hungry, because it is much easier for a healthy body to cope with low temperatures;
• If you feel like you are freezing, go into a warm room to warm up.

Frostbite is damage to the skin and soft tissues under the influence of low temperatures. Unfortunately, there are often fatal cases. Be attentive to yourself and your loved ones, especially during periods of severe frost, pay attention to any changes in the behavior or appearance of those around you, perhaps this will save their health or even life.