Q: What is frostbite?
A: Frostbite is damage to a body part caused by the cold. It can be mild or severe.
Frostbite is most common on the ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Skin affected by
frostbite might look white and feel numb or hard.
Q: What are the symptoms of frostbite?
A: Symptoms can include:
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Cold, numb skin – Skin might look white or gray and feel hard or waxy.
Trouble moving the affected area - For example, fingers with frostbite might feel clumsy.
Blisters with fluid or blood inside
Areas of black skin – This is a sign of severe frostbite.
Q: How can I help a person who might have frostbite?
A: If you think you or someone you are with might have frostbite, you should:
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Move the person to a warmer place as soon as possible
Take off any wet clothing
Try to warm up the affected area very gently. To do this, you can:
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Put it in warm water – The water should feel comfortable when you touch it with
unaffected skin. Do NOT use hot water.
Use body heat – For example, you can hold cold, numb fingers under the armpits.
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Avoid things that could cause worse damage. For example:
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Try not to walk on feet that have frostbite, unless you have to walk to get to a warm
place.
Do not warm the area if it might get cold again before you can get medical attention.
Do not rub the area.
Do not use a stove or fire to warm the area, because numb skin can get burned by
accident very easily this way.
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If frostbite symptoms don’t get better after taking these steps, get to a hospital as soon as
possible.
Q: How is frostbite medically treated?
A: Treatments include:
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Warming the affected area in water – This can hurt, but healthcare providers can give
medicines to help with pain.
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Medicine to help with blood flow – Frostbite can cause blood clots in affected body parts.
If the clots could cause serious damage, doctors or nurse practitioners might give a
medicine called “tPA” to help the blood flow normally again. But tPA increases the risk
of severe bleeding, including bleeding in the brain. So doctors only give it to people with
a low risk of bleeding.
Tetanus shot – Tetanus is a germ (bacteria) that lives in the soil. It can get into tissue that
is damaged by frostbite. A tetanus shot prevents people from becoming infected by the
bacteria.
Antibiotics – Tissue that is damaged by frostbite is more likely to get infected. If this
happens, you may be given antibiotic medicines.
Surgery – Severe frostbite can kill tissue. The dead tissue sometimes falls off by itself,
but doctors or nurse practitioners sometimes need to remove it. Some people with severe
frostbite need an amputation to remove a damaged body part.
Q: What’s the best way to prevent frostbite?
A: You can help prevent frostbite by being careful not to stay out in the cold for too long with
exposed skin. Be sure to dress warmly enough. It can be good to wear:
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A hat
Face protection, such as a ski mask or neck warmer
Sunglasses or goggles
Mittens – Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves.
Warm shoes or boots. Local sporting goods shops can help you select foot wear for our
cold climate.
Layers of clothing - These might include long underwear, fleece or wool clothing, and a
coat and pants that protect against wind, rain, and snow.
It can also help to:
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Eat enough when you are out in the cold
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Avoid contact with water or metal – These can be very cold.
Know the weather – If it gets very cold and windy, frostbite can happen more quickly (in
a few minutes).
Tell people where you are going
Carry emergency supplies in case you are outside longer than you planned. Keep extra
clothing or blankets in your car during cold weather.
Most people think frostbite only happens outside. But putting cold objects on the skin, such as
ice packs, can cause frostbite. Only use an ice pack (or other cold object) for 15 minutes every 1
or 2 hours. Put a cloth or towel between the ice and your skin.