Do I Have Frostbite?

Have you been exposed to cold weather and low temperatures (below -0.55 C or 31 F)?

Do you have cold skin and a painful feeling of “pins and needles” in the exposed area?

Do you feel numbness?

Do you have hardening of the skin that’s been uncovered skin too long in the cold?

Do you have redness on your skin?

Do you have pale or waxy-looking skin?

Do you have grayish-yellow skin?

Do you have swelling on the affected area?

Do you have blisters (clear or blood-filled) or scabs?

Do you have loss of coordination (stiff movements, falling down)?

Do you feel pain when rewarming the affected area?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have frostbite. Frostbite is a condition characterized by an injury to the skin and underlying tissues due to exposure to cold temperatures. Frostbite can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects the fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. People often get frostbite during the winter, at high altitude or in windy weather. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin, as well as on skin covered with clothing (frostbite on the fingers even though you wore gloves). Frostbite can range from mild to severe. Some of them can be managed with first-aid measures, while others require medical attention.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have frostbite. Frostbite is a condition that refers to the damage of your skin caused by exposure to freezing temperatures (usually below -0.55C or 31 F). The lower the temperature, the faster the symptoms of frostbite will appear. When your body is exposed to cold temperatures, blood vessels narrow and blood flow to the extremities slows down. For that reason, the extremities receive less oxygen and become colder. Also, the freezing process causes the formation of ice crystals in the cells, which can results in severe cell and tissue damage. Diagnosing is based on a physical examination.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have frostbite. Frostbite is a condition in which your skin freezes during exposure to low temperatures. There are three stages of frostbite: frostnip, superficial frostbite and deep frostbite. Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite that affects only the surface of the skin, while the other two forms are more severe and are characterized by damage to the deeper layers of the skin. In mild frostbite, treatment involves rewarming of the affected area. In case of severe frostbite, hospital treatment is needed, which includes medications, wound care, surgery and physical therapy.