Frostbite & Hypothermia

What Helps, What Hurts

Frostbite and hypothermia are dangerous medical conditions that occur when the body is exposed to prolonged and/or extreme cold. Hypothermia is a loss of body temperature that can lead to heart failure and possible death. Frostbite, which occurs when skin and tissues freeze, can lead to permanent tissue death and possible amputation.

Contributing Factors Extreme cold Wind chill Wet clothes Poor circulation (possibly due to smoking, drinking, fatigue or diabetes)

Treatment

• Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention

• Bring the victim inside

• Remove wet clothing

• Slowly apply moderate warmth, NOT direct heat

• Do NOT rub the body to improve circulation. Rubbing will cause further damage to body tissues.

• Monitor pulse and breathing

• If victim is alert, give him/her warm liquids to drink.

Warm Water – Yes & No

For frostbite victims, you can soak affect areas in lukewarm (NOT hot) water. Do not immerse a hypothermia victim in warm water as increasing temperature too fast can cause heart problems.

Signs - Frostbite

Look for very cold skin that has turned white or yellowish gray. Victims will likely feel burning or numbness in frostbitten areas.

Signs - Hypothermia

Common signs of hypothermia include strong shivering, poor coordination and slowed speech. In extreme cases, the victim will stop shivering and may exhibit irrational behavior. People with poor circulation can experience hypothermia even in moderate temperatures.