Frostbite is a condition characterized by damaged skin and tissue associated with extreme cold. The parts of the body most susceptible to frostbite include hands, feet, ears and the nose, reports Medline Plus. Symptoms of frostbite include pale, cold skin with little sensation, although a dull, aching pain may be present. As the skin begins to thaw it turns pink and becomes very painful. Damage to the blood vessels or necrosis of the tissue may require amputation.
Cold Weather Conditions
Exposure to cold weather, often 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less, remains the most common cause of frostbite, according to the Mayo Clinic. A person may wear inappropriate clothing that does not protect the skin from the elements, or he may simply stay outdoors in cold weather too long. Frostbite is possible even if the body is adequately covered, points out the Cleveland Clinic. Frostbite commonly occurs in conjunction with hypothermia, a condition in which the body cannot create heat and the core temperature of the body declines. The body responds by directing blood flow to the necessary organs and sacrificing blood flow to the extremities.
Direct Exposure
The Mayo Clinic points out that directly touching items exposed to freezing temperatures---such as ice, metal or even cold packs---severely decreases the skin's temperature. Prolonged exposure to these cold object leads to frostbite. Some patients may be unaware that frostbite is occurring owing to conditions that cause decreased sensation or nerve damage in the skin.
Additional Risk Factors
Anyone exposed to freezing temperatures for an extended period will develop frostbite. Still, a variety of conditions and risk factors cause rapid development in some people. Medline Plus reports that people with peripheral vascular disease or who are using beta-blockers---prescription medications that treat irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure and other disorders---have an increased risk of frostbite because of decreased blood flow to the skin. Additional frostbite risks include smoking, alcohol intake, windy conditions, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disorder of the arms and legs. Children are more prone to frostbite because a child's skin loses heat faster than that of adults, and children often stay outdoors longer for playtime during the cold winter months, according to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. People with previous frostbite injuries are more susceptible to additional frostbite.
