Frostbite Health Video

When exposed to very cold temperatures, skin and underlying tissues may freeze, resulting in frostbite. The areas most likely to be affected by frostbite are your hands, feet, nose and ears. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for frostbite in this health video.

Take Action

See your doctor
Shelter the person from the cold
Wear suitable clothing in cold temperatures
Increase your physical activity to keep warm

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello! My name is Dr. Susan McGladerry. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary and I'd like to give you some information on frostbite. This is damage to the skin or underlying tissues that's caused by extreme cold. It's occurs when the skin and the body temperatures are exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time. The hands, the feet, and the nose, and the ears are the most likely to be affected. Anyone exposed to freezing cold for a prolonged period of time can get frostbite but certain illnesses such as diabetes and medications, for example beta blockers, can increase the risk. How do you know that you are getting frostbite? First you may notice pins and needles and then numbness. There may be an early throbbing or ache and then the affected part starts to feel like a block of wood without sensation. And what does frostbite look like? Frostbite in skin is typically hard, pale, cold and without feeling. When the skin has thawed out, it becomes red and painful early frostbites. With more severe frostbite, the skin appears white and numb because the tissue has started to freeze. In very severe frostbite, there may be blisters or gangrene which is blackened, dead tissue and there may also be damage to deep structures such as tendons, muscles, nerves, and even to the bone. What sort of first aid should you give for frostbite? The most important is to shelter the person from cold and move him or her to warmer place. You need to look for signs of hypothermia or lowered body temperature and treat that appropriately. In addition, the infected areas of the body should be wrapped in sterile dressings; in particular, you need to remember to separate the fingers or toes when you wrap them. The patient needs to be transported to an Emergency Department for further care. When should you contact a medical professional? If there's severe frostbite or a mild frostbite that doesn't respond to simple home treatment. Also, you will need to talk to your doctor if there is recent frostbite that's followed later by fever, malaise, discoloration, or drainage from the affected part. What about prevention of frostbite? You will need to avoid the factors that can contribute so where suitable clothing in cold temperatures, use mittens rather than gloves, and protect exposed areas. If you're caught in a severe snow storm, you need to find shelter and you need to increase your physical activity to keep warm.