WINTER ADVISORY FROSTBITE of the FINGERS PREVENT FROSTBITE
FROSTBITE
Frostbite occurs when the skin is overexposed to extreme cold. It can occur when the temperature and/or wind chill is below 27°F (-3°C), and it typically occurs in the fingers and toes.Cases of frostbite are “typically the result of overexposure —skiers, snowboarders and climbers who don't have the luxury of warming up in the lodge because they have ventured off the grid.” But it can occur anywhere that the temperature and windchill puts fingers or toes at risk
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
When caught early, most frostbite is superficial and therefore reversible. If your fingertips are white, numb and swollen, see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not rewarm your fingers if you will be overexposing them to cold weather again. Your doctor will take care of rewarming the affected areas, and a hand surgeon may be brought in to take care of any blisters.
FROSTBITE IN CHILDREN
If you are with a young child who is complaining of being cold, then go inside. once frostbite sets in, the child will stop complaining because the area becomes numb and he or she cannot feel the problem. It is important to monitor children and yourself for signs of frostbite.
PREVENTION
To prevent frostbite, limit your time outside during cold weather; if you must venture outside, wear appropriate clothing. In extremely cold temperatures, winter athletes should consider electric boot warmers to protect their toes or gloves and mittens that have electric warming systems to protect their fingers, especially if they sustained frostbite in the past. Winter sports participants should heed warnings posted by the mountain on very cold days.
SOURCE includes information edited and taken from ASSH Frostbite post
PREVENT FROSTBITE As windchill increases time to frostbite decreases
https://www.assh.org/handcare/About-Hand-Surgery/Media/Details/ArticleID/45492/Frostbite-in-the-Hand READ ABOUT...
Posted by The Hand Center of Western Massachusetts on Friday, January 9, 2016
