INFORMATION ON FROSTBITE:-
Frostbite can be defined as a partial freezing of the exposed part of the body or tissue under the skin.
CAUSES OF FROSTBITE:-
Frostbite occurs because of prolonged exposure to below freezing temperatures or to above freezing temperatures if there is strong winds or if the person is at high altitude or wet. Because of prolonged exposure to cold condition the body tries to preserve heat. That results the constriction of blood vessels and forcing more blood into the core. It helps to keep a body’s temperature above the 93°F .To keep the extremities as warm as possible our blood vessels alternate between constricting and dilating, but below freezing temperature the vessels stop dilating .Then our skin temperature becomes low enough and some ice crystals are formed in our cells. This disease mainly affects the hands, feet, nose, cheeks and ears.
Some risk factors are given below -
1) Smoking
2) Outdoor work
3) Diabetes
4) cardiovascular disease
5) Winter sports, especially at high altitudes
6) dehydration
7) Exhaustion, hunger
8) Psychiatric illness
SYMPTOMS OF FROSTBITE:-
The Common symptoms of frostbite are given below -
1) Loss of sensitivity to touch
2) Change in skin color
3) Redness and pain in the skin area
4) Numbness
5) Blisters
TREATMENT OF FROSTBITE:-
Proper care is required in the treatment of frostbite. In the mild condition, treatment includes the re-warming the affected area, use antiseptic to wash it and then applying sterile dressing and resting in bed. If it is not possible to treat immediately then re-warm a mildly frostbitten area with warm water. Remember that do not use hot water or house hold heater because it may burn the skin. Do not wear any jewelry in the affected part of the skin.
Treatment of Severe frostbite may include a rapid thawing in a warm water bath. In this case there is need to hospitalize the patient. To control pain medication should be given .severe frostbite is often treated by a hypothermia in which the hospital care is needed.
PREVENTION OF FROSTBITE:-
Take some precautions which are given below –
1) Take protection from wind and water such as wear warm clothes in low temperature.
2) Cover your head
3) during lengthy outings, Always drink and eat plenty of food.
4) Avoid alcohol
