Frostbite 377055 225887866 2008-07-15T21:37:02Z Keilana 4264700 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/86.144.172.3|86.144.172.3]] to last version by Gene Hobbs (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses4|a medical condition|other uses|Frostbite (disambiguation)}} {{DiseaseDisorder infobox | Image = Frostbite.png| Caption = Hands, feet, noses, and ears are most likely to be affected by frostbite| Name = Frostbite | ICD10 = {{ICD10|T|33||t|33}}-{{ICD10|T|35||t|33}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|991.0}}-{{ICD9|991.3}} | MeshID = D005627 | }} '''Frostbite''' (''congelatio'' in [[medical terminology]]) is the [[medical condition]] whereby damage is caused to [[skin]] and other [[biological tissue|tissues]] due to extreme cold. At or below 0º [[Celsius|C]] (32ºF), [[blood vessels]] close to the skin start to narrow (constrict). This helps to preserve core body temperature. In extreme cold or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective strategy can reduce blood flow in some areas of the body to dangerously low levels. The areas where this occurs will freeze over. The combination of cold temperature and poor blood flow can cause severe tissue injury by freezing the tissue. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the [[heart]], and those with a lot of surface area exposed to cold. The initial stages of frostbite are sometimes called "frostnip". Mountains or high altitudes with snow are most dangerous to cause frostbite. If frostbite is not treated immediately then the damage and the frostbite become permanent. Nerve damage will occur because oxygen doesn't get to the areas. Frostbitten areas will turn discolored, purplish at first, and soon turn black. After a while nerve damage becomes so great that feeling is lost in the frostbitten areas. Blisters will also occur. If feeling is lost in the damaged area, checking it for cuts and breaks in the skin is vital. Infected open skin can lead to gangrene and amputation may be needed. ==Risk factors== [[Risk factors]] for frostbite include using [[beta-blocker]]s and having conditions such as [[diabetes]] and [[peripheral neuropathy]]. [[Image:Frostbitten hands.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Frostbitten hands]] ==Symptoms== Generally, frostbite is accompanied by discoloration of the skin, along with burning and/or tingling sensations, partial or complete [[numbness]], and possibly intense pain. If the affected areas and [[blood vessel]]s have been severely damaged, [[gangrene]] may follow, and [[amputation]] may eventually be required. If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually darkens and blisters after a few hours. [[Skin]] destroyed by frostbite is completely black, and looks loose, flayed and flexible. The black skin looks burnt. Frostbitten areas are cold to the touch. ==Treatment== To treat frostbite, move the victim to a warm location and seek medical help.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Roche-Nagle G, Murphy D, Collins A, Sheehan S |title=Frostbite: management options |journal=Eur J Emerg Med |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=173–5 |year=2008 |month=June |pmid=18460961 |doi=10.1097/MEJ.0b013e3282bf6ed0 |url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00063110-200806000-00012 |accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Soak frostbitten areas in warm (not hot) water, or, if in wilderness, warm by contact with the skin of a non-frostbitten person. Continue until the victim has regained sensation and movement in the afflicted region; this often follows great pain as the nerves thaw. Never rub, slap or shake the stricken region as ice crystals in the frostbitten skin will damage surrounding tissue. Follow the treatment with a period of constant warmth: refreezing following thawing worsens the damage. The use of [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] as an adjunctive therapy can assist in the salvaging of a greater amount of tissue by increasing the viability of cells bordering [[necrotic tissue]] by preventing [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]] and reducing [[edema]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ay H, Uzun G, Yildiz S, Solmazgul E, Dundar K, Qyrdedi T, Yildirim I, Gumus T |title=The treatment of deep frostbite of both feet in two patients with hyperbaric oxygen. (abstract) |journal=Undersea Hyperb Med. |volume=32 |issue=1 (supplement) |pages= |date=[[2005]] |issn=1066-2936 |oclc=26915585 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/1629 |accessdate=2008-06-30 }}</ref> There have been case reports but few actual research studies to show the effectiveness.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Finderle Z, Cankar K |title=Delayed treatment of frostbite injury with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a case report |journal=Aviat Space Environ Med |volume=73 |issue=4 |pages=392–4 |year=2002 |month=April |pmid=11952063 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Folio LR, Arkin K, Butler WP |title=Frostbite in a mountain climber treated with hyperbaric oxygen: case report |journal=Mil Med |volume=172 |issue=5 |pages=560–3 |year=2007 |month=May |pmid=17521112 |doi= |url= }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Gage AA, Ishikawa H, Winter PM |title=Experimental frostbite. The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on tissue survival |journal=Cryobiology |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |year=1970 |pmid=5475096 |doi= |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0011-2240(70)90038-6 |accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Weaver LK, Greenway L, Elliot CG |title=Controlled Frostbite Injury to Mice: Outcome of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. |journal=J. Hyperbaric Med |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=35-44 |year=1988 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4363 |accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> ==Prevention== Factors that contribute to frostbite include extreme cold, wet clothes, [[Windchill|wind chill]], and poor circulation. This can be caused by tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, smoking, alcohol use, or diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as diabetes. Moreover employees working in chemical laboratories should take precautions to wear gloves and other safety equipment as liquid Nitrogen and other [[cryogenic]] liquids can cause frostbite even with brief exposure. If caught in a severe snowstorm, one should find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth. People susceptible to frostbite should wear woolen socks/gloves/caps in extreme cold. For frostbite in the feet, keeping feet in warm saline water will provide relief. Diabetes can also sometimes lead to frostbite, so diabetics should take precautions as to avoid trips to ice-cold places.<ref>Eric Perez, MD. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000057.htm National Institute of Health]. Retrieved May 18, 2006.</ref> ==References== {{Refimprove|date=January 2008}} {{reflist}} ==See Also== *[[Hypothermia]] *[[Epidermis (skin)]] *[[Wilderness first aid]] ==External links== * [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000057.htm NIH] * [http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic209.htm eMedicine] * [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-frostbite/FA00023 Mayo Clinic] * {{DiseasesDB|31167}} * {{CrispThesaurus|00001790}} {{Consequences of external causes}} [[Category:Mountaineering]] [[Category:Injuries]] [[Category:Medical emergencies]] [[cs:Omrzliny]] [[de:Erfrierung]] [[eo:Frostiĝo]] [[es:Congelamiento]] [[fr:Gelure]] [[he:כוויית קור]] [[it:Congelamento]] [[ja:凍傷]] [[lt:Nušalimas]] [[nl:Bevriezing (medisch)]] [[pl:Odmrożenie]] [[fi:Paleltuma]] [[sv:Köldskada]]