During your ski vacation, prolonged exposure to a cold environment can cause frostbite. A frostbite is an injury caused by frostbite of the skin and underlying tissues. Before going on vacation, it is important to understand this injury first.
Frostbite is common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin. In general, exposed skin in cold weather is more susceptible to frostbite. But it can also occur even on skin covered by gloves or other clothing.
What are your symptoms?
When frozen, your body will show symptoms such as cold skin and a prickly sensation; numbness; red, white, bluish-white, or grayish-yellow skin; hard or waxy-looking skin; and muscle stiffness.
What are your causes?
One of the causes of frostbite is the use of inappropriate clothing. When your clothing does not protect you from extreme cold or is too tight, the likelihood of freezing is high.
Another cause is prolonged exposure to a cold environment. A temperature as low as -15 C to -27 C increases the risk of frostbite in less than 30 minutes.
Lastly, touching materials such as ice, cold compresses, or frozen metal also results in this injury.
How can we prevent it?
First, limit the time you spend outside in cold weather. Stay up-to-date with weather forecasts and wind chill readings. Exposed skin can freeze within minutes during these extreme conditions.
Second, wear appropriate clothing. Most importantly, change out of wet clothing (such as gloves, hats, and socks) as soon as possible.
Third, get ready. When traveling in cold weather, bring emergency supplies and warm clothing in case you get stranded. If you are in a remote area, tell others what your route is and your expected date of return.
Fourth, stay healthy. Exercise. Eat a well-balanced meal and stay hydrated. Do not drink alcohol before going outdoors. Alcoholic beverages make your body lose heat more quickly. If you’re feeling cold, a sweet, warm drink like hot chocolate will help keep you warm.
First aid
When it happens during your ski trip, you can perform the following first aid.
First, check for hypothermia. Signs include chills, slurred speech, drowsiness, and loss of coordination. Also protect your skin for increased exposure. Don’t rub the affected area.
Second, stay out of the cold. Once you are inside, remove your wet clothing. Gently warm frozen areas by soaking them in warm water (37-42 C) for 15 to 30 minutes. If the thermometer is not available, test the water with a good hand. Wrap the affected area to prevent it from freezing again. If numbness or pain persists during warm-up or if blisters appear, it is best to seek emergency medical attention. If you have pain, take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. If possible, do not walk on frozen feet or toes. This will further damage the tissue.
The chances of getting frostbite during your ski vacation are high, so it is important to know about this injury. In the end, we always come back to the saying, “prevention is better than cure.”