Hypothermia and Frostbite – Proactive Steps Can Prevent Perilous Consequences

Understanding Prevention, Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Our previous article, Are you Geared up for Winter Weather? Essentials Every Driver Should
Have
, addressed the winter apparel and gear drivers should have to stay warm and dry, and
protect themselves against hypothermia.

Hypothermia, which can occur rapidly, is when the body’s temperature falls below normal.
Early warning signs and symptoms can include:

  1. Shivering
  2. Slurred speech
  3. Confusion or memory loss
  4. Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  5. Drowsiness or low energy
  6. Rapid breathing and heartbeat, or a weak pulse
  7. Pale or a blueish color on the nose or nail beds
  8. Cold feet, hands, or numbing in extremities
  9. Nausea

It is crucial to act immediately upon the early warning signs of hypothermia to avoid severe
hypothermia, which can sometimes lead to death. Symptoms of severe hypothermia can
include non-reactive pupils, fluid in the lungs, coughing or wheezing, labored breathing,
potential heart failure, and potential cardiac arrest.

The best treatment for hypothermia begins with dressing properly to stay warm and dry.
However, certain conditions or circumstances may prevent one from staying completely dry.
If you or someone else becomes hypothermic, start to slowly warm the “core” first:

  • Move to a warm place
  • Change into dry clothing
  • Wrap in a warm blanket, and continue to wear a hat and gloves
  • Drink something warm that is non-caffeinated
  • Use heat packs, such as hand and foot warmers, by placing them under the arms, on the neck and chest, and in the groin area.

Always warm the “core” first. Warming the extremities first can force cold blood back to the heart and lungs, which can lead to heart failure.

  • Avoid caffeine as it can worsen hypothermia
  • Do not rub the legs or arms as it can cause shock and heart failure
  • Do not place yourself or someone else in a hot tub or a hot shower
  • Do not use a heating pad or electric blankets as these can burn the skin

Vigorous massaging of the extremities or rapid warming can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and trigger cardiac arrest. Call 911 if symptoms are severely progressing

The Difference Between Hypothermia and Frostbite

Hypothermia and frostbite are both associated with prolonged exposure to extremely cold
weather. While hypothermia materializes as an abnormally low internal body temperature,
frostbite is an injury to the skin caused by prolonged exposure to below-freezing
temperatures.

The risk for frostbite increases as temperatures fall below 5°F. In wind chills of 16°F,
frostbite can occur in less than 30 minutes.

Affected areas, such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes can become deprived
of blood and oxygen if not caught early. Prolonged oxygen deprivation and freezing can
result in tissue damage, and even tissue death that may result in amputation.

It is important to recognize the initial signs and symptoms of frostbite as it is reversible in
the early stages. At the first signs of frostbite, get out of the cold air and treat any exposed
skin. Early signs and symptoms of frostbitten areas include:

  1. Changes in skin to a white, red, blue, or grayish-yellow color
  2. A firm or waxy presence
  3. Painfulness
  4. Tingling, burning, or needle-like pin prick sensations
  5. Swelling
  6. The formation of blisters filled with clear or bloody fluid

If you have symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care immediately. While waiting for medical care:

  1. Get into a warm place as soon as possible
  2. Avoid walking on frostbitten toes or feet
  3. Immerse the affected area in warm water, not hot water
  4. Apply a warm washcloth to any affected areas on the face and ears
  5. Do not try to rewarm the frostbitten areas by massaging them
  6. Do not pop any blisters that may have formed

Act early on your symptoms as second and third degree frostbite can lead to more
serious medical complications and treatment such as debridement, gangrene, and
amputation!

Second degree frostbite, or “Superficial Frostbite”, occurs when light-colored blisters appear
and the areas affected start sloughing, while third degree frostbite, or “Deep Frostbite”, results in dead black tissue, known as gangrene. Both require medical attention, and the following treatment could result, based by the individual case:

  1. Rewarming the skin
  2. Oral pain medication or antibiotics
  3. Whirlpool therapy
  4. Removal or debridement of the dead tissue
  5. Amputation of any affected areas that are grangrene