Freezing can happen quickly. This is what you need to know

(CNN) — is cold We are talking about a dangerous cold. A cold that can rip off your nose, ears, chin, fingers or toes if you’re not careful. Called frostbite, it occurs when the skin and subcutaneous tissue freeze, which can happen much faster than you think.

What causes frostbite?

Coldness does not depend only on the outside temperature. It is also affected by the wind chill factor. As the wind speed increases, our body cools at a faster rate, causing the skin temperature to drop. High altitude can also increase the rate of skin freezing.

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service has created a wind chill graph that shows how long it can take for frost to form at various temperatures and wind speeds. The index was tested on a human face model.

For example, if it is zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus 17.8 degrees Celsius) and calm, the chances of frostbite will be relatively low. Add a 15 mph wind, and it will take 30 minutes to cool down. If the wind increases to more than 80 kilometers per hour, it will take only 10 minutes for frost to appear.

If your skin is at -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-31.7 degrees Celsius) with a wind speed of only 40 kilometers per hour, it will freeze in just five minutes.

Who is at risk?

If you smoke, take medications called beta blockers, have poor blood flow to your legs, or have diabetes or Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition in which strong emotions or cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict and block blood flow. to the extremities.

Seniors and people who are outdoors without adequate clothing, heat, and food are also at higher risk, as are hikers and hunters who are not properly dressed and are outdoors for too long.

The US The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warns that anyone who drinks heavily or uses illegal drugs is at higher risk. While you may feel like your body is warming up, your core temperature and blood pressure actually drop.

And of course, you’re more likely to freeze if you’re not properly dressed for the weather. The CDC has a visual chart showing important areas to cover in extreme cold.

What does frostbite look like?

First degree frostbite: The first stage of frostbite is often called “frostnip” and begins with redness and a tingling sensation. Get out of the cold quickly at this point to avoid further skin damage.

A gentle pat on your body can warm you with your own body heat; For example, try sticking those fingers into your armpits. Rewarm those red fingers by soaking them in warm, never hot water for 30 minutes. Since you won’t be able to tell with a stubby toe, test the waters with another part of your body to make sure it’s comfortable. Rewarm the ears, nose and cheeks with a warm cloth; Resoak and reapply often.

Be prepared to feel some pain as the frozen areas come back to life. You will know when the warm-up is complete when the skin is soft and all sensation has returned. But according to CDC recommendations, don’t use stoves or heating pads. Those hard bits cannot determine temperature and can easily burn as they heat up.

Second degree frostbite: Surface freezing is the second stage. This is known as second-degree frostbite and begins when the skin starts to turn pale white or grayish-yellow instead of red. It may also start to appear blue. Ice crystals have started to form on the skin, which can be hard and numb to the touch. Some people say it feels “waxy”.

Unfortunately, as the pain and redness subside, people often do not understand what is happening to them. But soon, the skin may become warm and swollen, which is a sign that the tissue is being damaged. This is the time when immediate medical attention is needed to prevent further and more serious damage.

Immediate rewarming is key, but must be done carefully by trained medical professionals, who will immediately wrap the injured area to protect it. Sometimes fluid-filled blisters may develop and the skin may itch, sting and swell dramatically.

Frostbite is the most severe stage shown. Sandra Mu/Asiapack/Getty Images

Third degree frostbite: Deep frostbite is the next stage, in which the skin may appear blue and mottled and numb with pain and cold. Blood-filled blisters may form. Muscles near the area may not work properly. At this point, you are at risk for blood clots and will need blood thinners to increase blood flow to the area.

Medical care at this stage is crucial to avoid amputation of the injured tissue. Depending on the severity of the injury, the tissue may appear black and feel stiff after rewarming. If the tissue is dead, a process called gangrene may require removal of dead areas or amputation. Sometimes permanent damage to the muscles, tendons, nerves and bones in the area can also occur.

How to treat frostbite

If medical care is not immediately available, wrap the affected areas with sterile bandages, carefully separating the injured fingers and toes from each other. But try to move the affected areas as little as possible to avoid further tissue damage.

If the frozen area is reheated and then refrozen, the damage may be more severe. The US According to the National Library of Medicine, if refreezing is a possibility, it may be best to delay the initial warming process until a warmer location is found. Hot drinks are best for replenishing lost body fluids.

Two more warnings from the CDC: Do not rub ice or massage frozen areas. You will simply make the tissue damage worse. The same applies to walking with a fixed foot or toe, so avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

This story was updated from a 2019 article.