Frozen (the cold will bother you …)

Whether you and your family are embracing the pleasures of the winter season with ice skating and snowball fights, or reluctantly venturing outdoors to walk the dog and shovel snow, be aware of the health hazards of this cold snap… like frostbite. Here’s why you don’t want to mess with frostbite Frostbite can occur even after minutes of exposure to sub-freezing temperatures and wind chill. It develops after exposure to severe cold leads to freezing and injury of tissue with destruction of cells. The inflammation that follows frostbite can cause further tissue damage. The more commonly affected areas are the ears, face, fingers, and toes. So how do you recognize trouble? A precursor to frostbite is frostnip, when the cold hasn’t caused any permanent tissue damage. The skin might be red or pale and painful. As early-stage frostbite sets in, the affected areas might feel numb. The skin may feel cold and harder, and become paler or grayish-yellow, and later develop blisters. Some conditions and situations can increase the risk for frostbite, like dehydration, circulation problems, nicotine and alcohol use, or inadequate shelter and clothing. Also, always be mindful that infants and young children are more vulnerable, and may not be able to recognize these early symptoms and take steps to protect themselves. What to do if you think someone has frostbite If you think you are dealing with frostbite, try to get to warmth as soon as possible. However, don’t try to rewarm the...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Prevention Safety Skin and Hair Care frostbite Source Type: blogs