As many of us are experiencing a Polar Vortex this week, many of us may be in a situation where FROSTBITE can set in. This post will help you recognize the signs, what to do and how to treat it. My homesteader friends may be out feeding the animals, and cleaning stalls, etc, so I would be concerned for them so I want to share this info.
The nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes are most commonly affected. Everyone is susceptible, even people who have been living in cold climates for most of their lives.
Three frostbite stages are:
The first degree - irritates the skin
The second degree - blisters but has no major damage
The third degree - involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage
In superficial frostbite, you may experience burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in the affected areas. The regions appear white and frozen, but if you press on them, they retain some resistance.
In deep frostbite, there is an initial decrease in sensation that is eventually completely lost. Swelling and blood-filled blisters are noted over white or yellowish skin that looks waxy and turns a purplish blue as it rewarms. The area is hard, has no resistance when pressed on, and may even appear blackened and dead.
To Treat Frostbite
Remove all wet clothing from the affected area, and elevate the area higher than the heart if possible to avoid swelling. Keep the person dry and warm. If they are immobile, and unable to walk try to keep the person busy with conversation. Keep the body warm and dry if possible.
First, call for help.
Keep the affected body part elevated in order to reduce swelling
Move to a warm area to prevent further heat loss.
Note that many people with frostbite may be experiencing hypothermia. Saving their lives is more important than preserving a finger or foot.
Do not walk on frostbitten toes or feet if at all possible.
Remove all wet clothing and constrictive jewelry because they may further block blood flow.
Give the person warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fluids to drink.
Apply a dry, sterile bandage, place cotton between any involved fingers or toes (to prevent rubbing), and take the person to a medical facility as soon as possible.
Never rewarm an affected area if there is any chance it may freeze again. This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results. If medical care is not immediately available and there is no chance of refreezing, you can use body heat to warm an injured body part (for example placing frostbitten fingers beneath the armpit). Another option if medical care is not readily available, and there is no chance of refreezing, is to immerse the affected areas in warm (not hot) water.
Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.
Above all, keep in mind that the final amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.
STAY WARM, STAY SAFE MY FRIENDS
Happy Winter Trails
Image Sources:
https://www.verywell.com/frostbite-pictures-4020385
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/frostbite/page3_em.htm