Frostbite is an injury to the skin resulting from exposure to extreme cold, primarily affecting exposed skin in cold and windy conditions but can occur even under clothing. Symptoms include cold skin, color changes, and stiffness, requiring immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to tissues and nerves. Risk factors include dehydration, diabetes, and substance abuse, while frostbite progresses through stages from frostnip to severe damage affecting underlying tissues.

1. Frostbite

2. What is Frostbite?
Injury to the skin caused by exposure to extreme cold is called
frostbite. This happens when you are exposed to temperatures
below the freezing point of your skin. Exposed skin in cold and
windy weather is most susceptible to frostbite, but it can also
occur on skin covered by clothing. Frostbites require immediate
medical attention, as it can damage the underlying tissues,
muscles, and bones. Severe frostbite may also cause infection
and nerve damage.

3. Symptoms of Frostbite
● Cold skin.
● Prickling feeling.
● The skin turns red, white, blue, or grayish-yellow.
● The skin becomes hard and waxy.
● The joint and muscle stiffen causing clumsiness.
● Blisters are seen after rewarming the skin.

4. Causes of Frostbite
In icy conditions, the body sends signals to the blood vessels in
the extremities to constrict and slow the blood flow to them. This
makes the body able to carry more blood and oxygen to the vital
organs of the body and prevent further decrease in body
temperature. When the brain senses that there is a danger of
hypothermia, the blood vessels in the arms and legs stay
constricted, thus preventing them from pumping cold blood to
the internal organs. This is the beginning of frostbite.

5. Stages of Frostbite
● Frostnip (First-Degree Frostbite) :
It is a milder form and does not cause any permanent damage. Here,
the skin turns red and cold to touch.
● Superficial (Second-Degree) Frostbite :
In this stage of frostbite, the skin turns pale or blue from red. The
affected area is hard and frozen to touch.
● Deep (Third-Degree) Frostbite:
It is the most severe form of frostbite, as it affects both the skin and
underlying tissues. In severe cases, blood-filled blisters can be seen.

6. Complications of frostbite
● Persistent numbness of the affected areas.
● Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
● Increases the chances of future frostbites.
● Increased cold sensitivity.

7. Risk Factors of Frostbite
● Conditions like dehydration, diabetes, excessive sweating,
exhaustion, and poor blood circulation can affect one’s ability to
feel or respond to cold.
● Alcoholism and drug abuse make the body lose heat faster.
● Smoking.
● Mental conditions that hamper one’s ability to respond to cold.

8. References
Source Credit-->>
https://www.icliniq.com/articles/diseases-and-disorders-common-me
dical-conditions/frostbite

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