Winter is fast approaching and so is the cold weather so it is time for a reminder of the dangers of cold weather. Today I will touch on Frostbite and Hypothermia recognition and treatment.
Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing. It causes loss of feeling in exposed parts of the body including fingers and toes. If there is a chance you have frostbite seek medical attention as frostbite can damage the body and in severe cases amputation may be required. Be sure to always dress properly for cold temperatures.
As soon as redness or pain becomes evident get out of the cold and protect the exposed skin. Be aware of signs that may indicate problems such as white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels firm or waxy and numbness. Because of numbness, people are often unaware of these symptoms until they are pointed out to them.
If there is frostbite and no medical attention available follow these procedures:
Take preventative measures. Wear proper clothing and do not leave skin exposed in severe temperatures. Prepare your home and vehicle for winter emergencies in advance of the cold weather and observe safety precautions during cold weather.
Hypothermia is the result of your body reaching an abnormally low body temperature due to exposure to very cold temperatures for a short period of time or even cool temperatures for a longer period of time. Some of the warning signs are shivering, exhaustion, low energy, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech and bright red, cold skin. If you notice any of these signs take the person’s temperature and if it is below 35 degrees Celsius get medical attention immediately.
