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Brad
Selfish Heathen
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone of Pain
 
2006-06-22, 23:37

Have you checked WebMD? It's usually my first stop for medical stuff.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/8/1680_54260.htm

So it says:

Quote:
What Are the Symptoms?
  • For frostnip: White patches of skin that are numb.
  • For frostbite (superficial or deep): Skin that is white or grayish-yellow and feels hard or waxy; numbness; blistering, or blackened tissue.
  • Other symptoms include swelling, itching, burning, and deep pain when the area is warmed.


Are you sure it's frostbite/frostnip? Maybe your skin is just irritated.

Quote:
Most people recover completely from frostbite, though the affected area may be more susceptible in the future to discomfort from cold weather, repeat frostbite, and damage from the sun. The first line of treatment is to rewarm the affected area.

Frostnip can be treated at home. If you think you may have frostnip, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If your clothes are wet, change into dry clothing. Immerse the affected area in warm water (100º to 105º Fahrenheit) to thaw the frozen tissue. (Do not use hotter water, as this may burn your skin.) If warm water is not available, warm the affected area with body heat. For instance, warm your hands by tucking them into your armpits; warm your nose, ears, or face by covering them with dry hands.

CAUTION! Do not rub the affected area because this may increase damage to the tissue. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace, or radiator to rewarm the affected area; these may warm your skin unevenly or may burn your skin, particularly if it's numb and you cannot tell how hot your skin is getting on the surface.

If the skin tingles and burns as it warms, circulation is returning. The skin may turn red but should not blister or swell. If the skin does not seem to warm, if it remains numb, or if it does blister or swell, seek immediate medical attention.

Frostbite requires emergency medical care. If you think you may have frostbite, get out of the cold as soon as possible. If you cannot get medical help immediately and there's no risk that the area might be refrozen before you get help, warm the affected area as you would for frostnip.

CAUTION! If the affected area might be refrozen before you get medical help, do not warm it; this greatly increases the risk of damage. Also, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary.

At the hospital, frostbite is usually treated comprehensively because its severity cannot be diagnosed in the first few days. Usually, patients need to be admitted. Initially, the hospital staff will probably do the following:
  • Rapidly warm the affected area in water for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove blisters that contain clear or milky fluid, and cover them with aloe vera. (Blisters that contain blood may not be removed.)
    Splint and elevate the affected area, and wrap it in a loose bandage.
  • Administer ibuprofen to limit inflammation, tetanus toxoid to prevent tetanus infection, and penicillin to prevent other infection. Narcotic medication may be needed to treat pain as the sensation to area returns. If the tissue is already infected, you may need additional antibiotics.

Later hospital treatment may include whirlpool therapy and physical therapy to promote circulation. Surgery, including amputation of the affected area, is sometimes necessary. Amputation is performed only if the tissues are dead. This determination is typically made between three and six weeks after the injury.

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