Recognizing and treating frostbite

Frostbite can occur during exposure to cold temperatures and can be permanent. A few easy steps can keep you safe.

Transcript

00:00 Prevention is key in frostbite.

00:01 Frostbite can happen when the temperatures

00:03 dip below 31 degrees.

00:05 Skin tissues freeze and a painful prickling

00:08 turns into throbbing, and then your skin may feel numb

00:10 or turn a white or blue-gray.

00:13 This can cause permanent damage to your skin.

00:15 But with a little foresight, frostbite is preventable.

00:19 Think very deliberately about what you're gonna wear,

00:21 what you need to protect from,

00:23 or do you even need to go out,

00:25 you know, in the cold snaps that we've had

00:27 in the last few years.

00:28 Your hands, feet, and ears are most at risk

00:31 because they receive lower blood flow.

00:32 Dressing in layers and wearing dry, warm shoes or boots

00:35 can help protect those areas.

00:37 Everyone is susceptible to frostbite,

00:40 but the elderly and those that work outside

00:42 are most at risk.

00:43 Dr. Yochum also says children outside playing

00:46 may not realize what's happening.

00:48 Kids are out, you know, sled riding

00:49 or playing in the snow,

00:50 they're not thinking about frostbite.

00:52 So at some point in time, you have to step in and say,

00:54 "Okay, I think we've been out here long enough.

00:56 "We don't wanna end up in that situation.

00:57 "Let's check you out, take a little break,

00:59 "warm up inside before we go down that road."

01:03 If you notice your skin becoming discolored,

01:05 white, hard, or leathery, get out of the cold quickly

01:08 and begin to slowly and gently rewarm your skin.

01:11 If you have any concerns,

01:12 go to the emergency room or urgent care.

01:15 For AccuWeather, I'm meteorologist Tony Laubach.