When cold weather hits, the best way to avoid frostbite is to stay inside and keep warm.
But that doesn’t always work for many of us, particularly those who work outside or enjoy outdoor winter activities. So, what can you do to avoid frostbite if you must go outside?
When you are exposed to temperatures below the freezing point of skin, tissues freeze and you are susceptible to frostbite.
Most people who get frostbite are males aged 30 to 49 while many frostbite cases are seen in alcoholics, people with psychiatric illness, car accident/breakdown victims, and recreational drug users. The most commonly affected areas are extremities—the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes.
If you have superficial frostbite, you may experience burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in affected areas. Deep frostbite has an initial decrease in sensation that is eventually completely lost. Blisters may appear, and the frostbite area will be hard and may even appear blackened and dead.
So, what can you do to avoid frostbite?
- Dress warmly and in layers.
- Wear mittens instead of gloves.
- Wear two pairs of socks with the inner layer made of a material to wick water away from your skin.
- Wear waterproof shoes.
- Cover your head, face, nose, and ears.
- Wear loose fitting clothing to avoid a decrease in blood flow to arms and legs.
- Travel with a friend.
- And don’t smoke or drink alcohol.