Frostbite occurs when skin is exposed to climate temperatures that freeze the skin as the body temperature is lowered. Any area of under-protected or exposed skin is susceptible to frostbite, though the fingers, cheeks, nose and toes are commonly affected, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The frostbite process can happen within minutes. Early frostbite, often called frostnip, is minor if caught early. However, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can result in serious frostbite complications. Symptoms of post-frostbite damage include sensation changes, swelling, blisters and other ailments.
Sensation Changes
Frostbite freezes nerve cells inside the skin, which changes the way pain is experienced. A patient with post-frostbite damage may initially feel burning or stinging in the frostbitten area, which typically progresses into sensation loss. According to MedlinePlus, upon warming of superficial frostbite, affected areas will gradually begin to feel sensation, often painful or prickly. Severely frostbitten skin may not respond to rewarming treatment. As a result, sensation or feelings may not return to the affected area. This indicates a serious case of frostbite damage. Patients should seek medical attention to receive proper treatment to correct post-frostbite damage.
Skin and Joints
Post-frostbite damage causes blood vessels to narrow and reduces blood circulation to frostbitten skin. The University of Illinois McKinley Medical Center explains that skin may feel hard to the touch and appear white to pale with a waxy sheen. Affected joints, such as toes and fingers, may feel stiff, ache and appear hard to flex. For superficial frostbitten skin and joints, exposure to rewarming of the skin will correct post-frostbite damage over time by returning the skin to normal color and lessening joint pain and stiffness. Severe cases of frostbite, such as prolonged skin color changes and joint stiffness, could be a sign of serious frostbite damage and complications. Patients should consult a doctor to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Swelling and Blisters
Post-frostbite damage allows waste products to build within the blood and freezes cells inside body tissues. When circulation returns to damaged frostbite skin during warming, blisters or ulcers can develop from toxins inside the blood. Blisters may contain blood or clear fluid, which can indicate deeper frostbite, reports The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Blisters may also open and leave areas of discolored skin. According to MedlinePlus, post-frostbite damaged skin often does not result in permanent tissue loss.
Gangrene
Deep frostbite can permanently damage skin, tendons, bone and muscles, as it completely freezes deeper body structures. Deeply frostbitten skin will appear cold, white and hard to the touch. As a result, warming the affected skin area does not result in color change, swelling or sensation changes, as blood may be permanently damaged. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that deep frostbite damage can cause skin to turn gray, black or leathery with dead tissue, also known as gangrene. In severe cases of post-damage frostbite, gangrenous tissue may require surgical removal to prevent further complications.
