The following symptoms and complaints may indicate frostbite: Frostbite stages
Degree of frostbite | Symptoms |
Grade I | Redness (congelatio erythematosa), numbness. |
Grade II | Edema/blistering (congelatio bullosa) on reddened skin |
Grade III | Necrosis (cold burn; congelatio gangraenosa s. escharotica). |
Grade IV | Icing |
The acras (fingers, toes, ears, nose) are particularly affected.
Hypothermia stages
Hypothermia stages | Body temperature (rectal) | Symptoms |
Grade I | 37-34 °C | Skin vascular contraction, heart rate and blood pressure increased, cold shivering |
Grade II | 34-27 °C | Increasing insensitivity to pain, heart rate and respiration slowed, muscle rigidity, reflexes weakened; unconsciousness (32 °C and above) |
Grade III | 27-22 °C | Autonomic body functions break down, death from cold |