Frostbite
Overview
Frostbite happens when your skin freezes after being in very cold temperatures. The skin needs to be warmed as soon as possible. Get medical help if you think you or someone else has frostbite.
Symptoms
You can get frostbite if your skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below. The parts of the body most often affected are the fingers, toes, nose and ears. At first, your skin may be: cold and firmnumb, or you may feel a stinging or burning sensationpainful, throb or achered or pale (redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin) Frostbite gets worse the colder it is and the longer you’re exposed to the cold. If frostbite gets worse, symptoms can include: hard, frozen skin that can be white, blue or blotchyswelling and loss of feeling in the affected areablisters filled with blood or clear or milky fluidthe skin turns black and hard as it starts to die (this may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
Treatment
Frostbite is treated in hospital. Treatments for frostbite include: warming the affected body partremoving dead skinmedicines to treat swelling and infectionsurgery if frostbite is severe You may have follow-up appointments to check how your wounds are healing and to help with any lasting problems you might have (such as problems with movement).
Prevention
To help avoid getting frostbite, it’s important to wear warm clothing if you're in very cold temperatures. For example, you should wear: several loose layers of clothing with a waterproof outer layera hat and scarf to protect your head, neck and facegloves or mittens to protect your hands and fingersthick socks and boots to protect your feet and toes It’s also important to eat and drink regularly if you’re in cold conditions for long periods.