What Is Hypothermia Frostbite?

Hypothermia (

abnormally low body temperature

) and frostbite are both dangerous conditions that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

Is frostbite related to hypothermia?

Hypothermia is more serious than frostbite

. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.

How is hypothermia different from frostbite?

How is frostbite different from hypothermia? Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops below 95° F (35° C). Your normal body temperature is about 98.6° F (37° C).

Hypothermia is more serious and widespread in your body than

frostbite, which affects specific parts of your exposed skin.

How do you treat frostbite and hypothermia?

1. Check for hypothermia. Get emergency medical help if you suspect hypothermia. …
2. Protect your skin from further damage. …
3. Get out of the cold. …
4. Gently rewarm frostbitten areas. …
5. Drink warm liquids. …
6. Consider pain medicine. …
7. Know what to expect as skin thaws.

Do you treat hypothermia or frostbite first?

Since

Frost bite is a precursor to hypothermia

, and at times accompanies it, check for signs of hypothermia in the victim and treat them accordingly. Warm the frostbitten area by soaking it in warm water (not hot water) until it is red and feels warm. Wrap the area in sterile dressings.

Is frostbite reversible?

Frostnip

is quickly reversible

. With frostbite, the skin looks pale, thick and inflexible, and may even blister. In addition, the skin usually feels numb, although there may be minimal sensation to touch.

Does frostbite heal?

After rewarming, the skin will be discoloured and blistered, and will eventually scab over. If the frostbite is superficial, new pink skin will form beneath the discoloured skin and scabs.

The area usually recovers within 6 months

.

Can black frostbite heal?

Many people can recover fully from superficial frostbite

. New skin will form under any blisters or scabs. However, some people may have permanent problems that can include pain or numbness in the frostbitten area.

What does hypothermia feel like?

Hypothermia generally progresses in three stages from mild to moderate and then severe.

High blood pressure, shivering, rapid breathing and heart rate

, constricted blood vessels, apathy and fatigue, impaired judgment, and lack of coordination.

Why does frostbite turn black?

In more severe cases of frostbite, the skin can turn blue, gray or even black

because of tissue injury

. These changes sometimes don’t happen until after the area is warmed.

What does frostbitten skin look like?

Superficial frostbite appears as

reddened skin that turns white or pale

. Your skin may begin to feel warm — a sign of serious skin involvement. If you treat frostbite with rewarming at this stage, the surface of your skin may appear mottled. And you may notice stinging, burning and swelling.

At what temp do you get frostbite?

Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to freezing temperatures – typically

any temperature below -0.55C (31F)

.

What is the best treatment for hypothermia?

• Move the person out of the cold. …
• Remove wet clothing. …
• Cover the person with blankets. …
• Insulate the person’s body from the cold ground. …
• Monitor breathing. …
• Provide warm beverages. …
• Use warm, dry compresses. …
• Don’t apply direct heat. Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the person.

What should you not do if you have frostbite?

Don’t rub frostbitten areas — treat them gently. Don’t use dry heat — such as a fireplace, oven, or heating pad — to thaw frostbite.

Don’t break any blisters

. Warm the frostbitten parts in warm (not hot) water for about 30 minutes.

How do you treat mild frostbite?

For milder cases of frostbite,

take over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)

to reduce pain and inflammation. For superficial frostbite that has been rewarmed, some people find it soothing to apply aloe vera gel or lotion to the affected area several times a day. Avoid further exposure to cold and wind.

How long does frostbite last?

The recovery time for a frostbite injury depends on the extent of tissue injury and whether or not there are any subsequent complications, such as infection. It may take

1-3 months

before it is possible to determine the extent of tissue damage and to clearly delineate which tissue is still viable.