Frostbite is freezing of the skin and tissues below the skin. It
occurs when a person is exposed to freezing temperatures [32
°F (0
°C)] or lower for too long.
How severe the frostbite is depends on how long the person was
exposed to cold, the temperature, the windchill, and the humidity. Frostbite is
most likely to occur on the feet, hands, ears, nose, and face. Men may have
frostbite of the genitals if they do not dress properly.
Doctors rate frostbite by degree of severity:
First-degree frostbite
First-degree frostbite freezes part of the outer layer of skin.
Symptoms include:
- Tingling, stinging, or burning
pain.
- Red skin or, less often, the skin is white, yellow, or
pink-blue instead of red.
- Mild swelling.
- No blisters.
Second-degree frostbite
Second-degree frostbite is freezing of all layers of the skin.
Symptoms include:
- Numbness followed by aching and throbbing
pain.
- Hard and frozen outer skin.
- Blisters filled with
clear or milky fluid. Blisters form within 6 to 24 hours.
- Red,
swollen skin around blisters.
Third-degree frostbite
Third-degree frostbite is freezing of deep layers of skin and
tissues below the skin. Symptoms include:
- White, pink-purple, or blue-gray
skin.
- Hard and frozen skin that 'feels like a block of
wood.'
- Blisters that look like they are filled with
blood.
- Numbness followed by burning, throbbing, or shooting
pain.
Fourth-degree frostbite
Fourth-degree frostbite is freezing of muscles, tendons, and
bones. Symptoms include:
- Patches of red or blue skin that turn dry,
black, rubbery.
- Little or no swelling.
- Blisters that
may appear as small blood spots under the skin.
- Deep, aching joint
pain.
Pain may be severe as the frostbitten skin rewarms. Swelling and
blisters are common after rewarming.
Medical treatment for frostbite includes relieving pain and quickly
rewarming the frostbitten area. This can help prevent problems such as
infection, dead tissue, or amputation of the frozen part.
