Especially in the cold season, frostbite can quickly occur. You can read here exactly how these occur and whether long-term effects can occur.
The fingers and toes, the backs of hands and feet as well as the face, ears, nose and the front and outside of the thighs and lower legs can be particularly affected by frostbite. Frostbite is not frostbite and is usually harmless. However, they can also cause chronic pain and skin changes.
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Frostbite occurs mainly in spring and winter
People are popularly referred to as chilblains who freeze easily and just don’t get really warm. From a medical point of view, frostbite is a physical reaction that mainly occurs in people who are low. The usually harmless chilblains are considered to be circulatory disorders in medicine and appear under the skin surface on parts of the body with poor blood circulation.
Frostbite: what are the symptoms?
As the name suggests, chilblains can be recognized by a bump-like bulge in the skin that curves slightly upwards . It can be reddish or bluish in color and painful when pressure is applied . Itchy and burning skin changes can also be a symptom of insufficient oxygen supply to the blood vessels.
Frostbite occurs particularly frequently when the outside temperature is around freezing and the blood vessels constrict in damp and cold weather. The tissue is then no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen and becomes inflamed.
Cold-related circulatory disorders can also become chronic
As a rule, there are no consequences from frostbite. They heal by themselves within three to six weeks. Heat not only helps to treat the inflamed body regions, but can also be used preventively. Cold should be avoided if possible during this time. Doctors recommend not smoking during the healing process, since nicotine has a negative effect on the blood vessels. In the case of severe frostbite, the doctor will help with drug treatment. There are different views on their effect and there are no official clinical studies. Anyone who repeatedly exposes themselves to the cold without protection risks chronic swelling in the endangered parts of the body. Acute frostbite is when it occurs a short time or a few hours after exposure to cold.
treatment of frostbite
Basically, heat is the best therapy for frostbite. Massage the affected areas with warm hands or run lukewarm water over the skin to stimulate blood circulation. You should definitely avoid water that is too hot or direct contact with a hot heater, as these can seriously damage the affected areas of the skin. Hand warmers, heat pads, thick socks, sturdy shoes and gloves as well as ointments that stimulate circulation can be used to support heat therapy. Exercise also helps – as does hot soup or tea that warms you from the inside.
In addition, the appropriate skin care is crucial. Healthy skin is equipped with a natural moisture barrier and can withstand the cold to a certain extent. Is theSkin that is not sufficiently cared for and is already damaged, for example through flaking or small cracks, is more prone to frostbite. Depending on the severity of the skin inflammation, appropriate wound treatment may be necessary. In this case, the advice of the doctor or pharmacist will help you. Skin care products should only be used when the wound is closed. Calendula cream is often recommended for the care of normal skin.
What are the risk factors and complications of frostbite?
Various studies have shown that frostbite occurs primarily in women and that a low BMI increases the risk of frostbite. Other factors that promote the development are a genetic predisposition, circulatory disorders and activities in nature such as motorcycling or horseback riding. Frostbite is also known to be a consequence of the autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus.
If the affected body region is still conspicuous or painful even after several weeks of adequate therapy and individual prevention, the doctor can conduct a brief examination to determine whether there is a complication or whether there is chronic inflammation due to exposure to cold.
Frostbite: Treat underlying condition
If the development of chilblains is favored by underlying diseases such as arteriosclerosis or peripheral arterial occlusive disease, it is important to treat them. In addition to drug treatment, a healthy diet that promotes blood circulation and other measures that stimulate blood circulation are recommended. These include sports and sufficient exercise, contrast showers or sauna sessions.
Potential complications of frostbite include:
- Blistering and scaly skin lesions
- scarring and dying of the skin
- Ulcerative changes on the skin
- Thinning of the skin, also called tissue wasting
- Infection of the affected areas by bacteria, fungi or viruses
Prevent frostbite
When choosing clothes , there is a lot you can do to prevent frostbite from occurring. Headgear is particularly important in cold or cold, damp weather. Humans radiate a large part of their body heat through their heads. Caps, hats or a hood can prevent this and help maintain body temperature and good blood circulation. Shoes and gloves should be chosen so that they do not constrict. Anything that could constrict, including bracelets or sock cuffs, should be avoided. This also worsens blood circulation and can thus increase the risk of frostbite occurring.
All clothing should always be adapted to the weather. Ideally, you follow the tried-and-true layering principle and wear layers of clothing to stay warm and stay warm. Waterproof and breathable clothing has proven its worth, especially in cold, damp weather. The materials should be able to retain body heat well and protect against wind and rain from outside. Lined jackets and shoes provide additional protection against heat loss. Alcohol should be avoided when staying in the cold, as it dilates the blood vessels and accelerates heat loss.
