First Aid Principles for Frostbite

Frostbite is freezing of body tissue. It is a consequence of exposure to extreme cold temperatures. Mild cases of frostbite has a bearing on just the skin, all the same, the injury can go deeper. Frostbite affects the extremities of the body including: nose, fingers, toes, ears and cheeks.

Why do you acquire frostbite?
Your system has the proportions to cool itself down or warm itself up depending on the environment the individual is in and the activity he is doing. Even so, during extreme cold temperature, body temperature fails quicker than it can heat up. If the body temperature reaches to a danger zone, the body begins to look after the organs so that it can still function better by increasing blood circulation to the heart and brain while reducing blood flow to the extremities of the body. So, nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes being to quiet down and freeze.

Signs of frostbite
The earliest sign that the body temperature starts to fall below normal (hypothermia) is shivering. This it's actually good as the body tries to regulate its temperature. Nevertheless, prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperature can have the next signs: numbness and loss of sensation of pain, cold skin that feels hard and solid, confusion, loss of function, blistering, color change from white, to red to purple, and slurred speech. When you notice these signs to a person, ensure to do the next first aid procedures:

. Take the individual out of the cold.

. Wet clothes absorb heat from the body. Change to dry clothes as soon as possible.

. Submerge the patient's body in warm (not hot) water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Remember that the patient's pain receptors are numb so don't let him control the temperature.

. If water is not available, wrap the patient's body with warm blanket.

. Do not use direct heat like heating pads from flat iron and fire from the stove.

. Be mindful not to touch the affected areas of the body.

. Avoid the use of snow to rub the frostbitten areas of the skin.

. If there is a chance of refreezing, do not thaw the frostbitten skin yet.

. If they have been thawed, prevent refreezing by wrapping the affected skin with warm blanket. (Refreezing can result in lasting injury to the dermal layer.)

. As the affected regions thaw, the flesh can become red and agonizing.

. The skin is thawed if it turns to pink and no longer numb.

. Call 911 for emergency assistance.

If your in a remote area or in a location where help is unavailable, ensure the keep the patient warm soon after unfortunately the signs of frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately. While awaiting an ambulance or a helicopter, decide if thawing is achievable. Once help arrives, give the patient's info to the medical personnel. Call the relatives and tell them about the incident.

Prevention

. Avoid exposing your skin to extreme cold temperature.

. Wear appropriate clothing when going out on a winter trip.

. Do not ignore your system when it begins to shiver. Wear more layers of clothes as necessary.

. Wind chill make the body temperature to drop faster. Safeguard yourself with wind breaker.

. Do not wait until hypothermia becomes frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately.

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