Treat Frostbite and Frostbite

Chilly temperatures in winter can not only cause cold hands, cold feet or a cold nose, but the lower temperatures can also have more serious consequences. These include tissue damage such as frostbite and frostbite. Read how to prevent and treat frostbite and frostbite here.

Frostbite on hands and toes

Frostbites are swellings under the skin that itch and/or hurt. They can be caused by cold and damp conditions, and unlike frostbite, which only occurs when it is very cold, they occur at temperatures as low as zero degrees. At such temperatures, however, frostbite only occurs with prolonged exposure to cold. Particularly often affected are parts of the body that have little blood supply. These include feet, hands and ears. Chilblains mainly affect people who have difficulties with their blood circulation. In addition, chilblains can also occur if the blood flow is artificially obstructed, for example, by shoes that are laced too tightly.

Treat frostbite

Normally, chilblains heal on their own, but the healing process can take up to three weeks. It is especially important not to scratch the bumps during this time, but to soothe the itching with an appropriate ointment. In addition, care should be taken to keep the affected body parts warm during the healing process. If the chilblains are particularly severe, medicines containing the active ingredient nifedipine can be used for treatment. Nifedipine lowers blood pressure by dilating the smooth muscle vessels.

Treating frostbite with home remedies

Besides nifedipine, however, you can also treat chilblains with home remedies: Pour 100 grams of horsetail or oak bark over a liter of hot water, allow the brew to steep, and then cool until the water is only lukewarm. Then carefully bathe the affected areas in the liquid. In addition, chopped onions that have been scalded with hot water are also suitable for bathing after cooling. Also to promote the healing process of chilblains is a porridge of water and healing clay: Apply the porridge to the affected area and then wrap it with a bandage. Raw potato slices placed on the chilblains are also said to be able to relieve the discomfort.

Frostbite and degrees of frostbite

Frostbite is especially common in dry cold and subzero temperatures. The cold causes ice crystals to form between the body’s cells and the cells are destroyed. In addition, circulatory problems can occur as the erythrocytes clump together. This can result in tissue death. Typical symptoms of frostbite are pale skin, a feeling of cold, and stabbing pain in the affected limbs. Over time, the frostbitten limbs become numb. In particularly severe cases of frostbite, white, hard areas of skin form, which turn black after thawing. Alternatively, blood blisters may form, which subsequently develop into ulcers. Generally, a distinction is made between frostbite, first, second, third and fourth degree:

  • First-degree frostbite: the skin is reddened and the affected limbs feel numb.
  • Frostbite second degree: on the skin there is a strong blistering.
  • Frostbite third degree: skin tissue dies. The dead, black tissue must be removed as soon as possible.
  • Frostbite fourth degree: frostbite affects all layers of tissue. The affected body part must be amputated.

Treat frostbite

If mild frostbite occurs, the affected area should be warmed slowly. For this purpose, your own body heat is best suited, for example, by covering frostbite on the face with your hands. Alternatively, the frostbitten skin areas can be slowly thawed in body-warm water (37 degrees). Under no circumstances should hot water be used to treat frostbite, nor should the skin come into contact with a hot heater. Massaging the frostbitten areas is also harmful. In case of doubt, you should always consult a doctor. He can give tips for further treatment and – if necessary – prescribe an ointment that promotes blood circulation. In case of more severe frostbite, you should always consult a doctor immediately!

Prevent frostbite and frostbite

You can prevent frostbite and frostbite with a few simple tips:

  1. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the temperatures. Pay special attention to a warm hat, warm gloves and thick wool socks when you are outdoors for long periods of time.
  2. If you exercise in the fresh air, you should quickly return to the warm afterwards. Because when you sweat, evaporative cooling occurs on the skin.
  3. Protect your facial skin with a thick layer of fat cream or a special cold cream.