Frostbite: what is typical for this condition, how to help the victim
Frostbite: what is typical for this condition, how to help the victim
дек 05, 2023

Winter has come, with which frosts come. It is not always possible to stay in a warm and cozy house in such weather. Many people have to be on the street. There is an opportunity for people to get frostbite here. Its danger lies in the fact that serious tissue damage can be obtained unnoticed.

It is important to remember that frostbite can be dangerous and immediate medical attention is required. If you experience symptoms of it, it is recommended to cover or warm the frozen areas of the body with warm water, and then seek medical help.

What kind of pathology is this

Frostbite is tissue damage caused by the freezing process, which occurs when body tissues are exposed to prolonged exposure to low temperatures. It occurs when a person is exposed to cold for a long time without proper protection.

Symptoms of such damage include a tingling or numbness sensation in the affected area, pale skin color, the formation of bubbles with liquid, puffiness. Frostbite affects insufficiently protected parts of the body from the cold, such as the face, ears, nose, fingers or toes. The severity of this pathology varies from mild to severe tissue damage.

There are several stages of frostbite. Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms. It is important to take them into account when assessing the severity of the damage and providing appropriate assistance. The following classification of degrees of frostbite has been developed:

  1. Easy. It manifests itself in the form of redness and tingling of the skin. Local swelling is often observed.
  2. Average. With this degree of frostbite, the skin and underlying tissues are damaged. Characteristic signs include redness, fluid bubbles, tingling and numbness, as well as puffiness.
  3. It's heavy. It affects the deep layers of the skin and underlying tissues, including muscles and bones. It is characterized by pallor or cyanosis of the skin, gangrene formation, loss of sensitivity and lack of vascular pulsation.

Frostbite is a serious condition that requires medical attention. Being careful during the cold period will help to avoid dangerous tissue damage.

First aid

In order to prevent frostbite, it is recommended to wear warm clothes. It is necessary to protect the skin with warm clothes – hats, scarves and mittens, going outside. It is necessary to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold and regularly check the condition of the skin in open areas of the body. If frostbite has occurred, you need to do the following:

  1. It is important to move the victim to a warm place and protect him from further exposure to cold air.
  2. The person should be wrapped in a plaid or blanket.
  3. It is necessary to warm up the frozen areas of the body. This can be done by exposing the affected area to a stream of warm water. It is important to remember that warming up should be gradual. No need to use hot water or a hot water bottle. Intensive rubbing of frozen areas should be avoided.

If there are signs of skin damage in the form of blisters, puffiness and redness, modern remedies can be used. These include aerosol foam PANTESUN (Pantesan), which contains chitosan and dexpanthenol. The product reduces pain, relieves irritation and redness in the damaged area. It also disinfects the surface of the skin.

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