Español (Spanish)
Related Pages
Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) and frostbite are both dangerous conditions that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Stay safe this winter by learning more about hypothermia and frostbite, including who is most at risk, signs and symptoms, and what to do if someone develops hypothermia or frostbite.
Hypothermia
What is hypothermia?
- Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.
- Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
- While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Who’s most at risk?
Victims of hypothermia are often:
- Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
- Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
- People who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
- People who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia?
The following are warnings signs of hypothermia:
Adults:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion or feeling very tired
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
Babies:
- bright red, cold skin
- very low energy
Don’t wait – take action
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice any of the above signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, get medical attention immediately!
If you are not able to get medical help right away, try to warm the person up.
- Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove any wet clothing the person is wearing.
- Warm the center of the person’s body—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. You can also use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- Warm drinks can help increase body temperature, but do not give alcoholic drinks. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrap their body, including their head and neck, in a warm blanket.
- Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible.
A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the person gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.
- Perform CPR, even if the person appears dead. CPR should continue until the person responds or medical aid becomes available. Keep warming the person while performing CPR. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
Top of Page
Frostbite
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a type of injury caused by freezing. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation (removing the affected body part).
Who’s most at risk?
You may have a greater chance of developing frostbite if you
- have poor blood circulation
- are not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures
What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite?
If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may point to frostbite:
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
A person who has frostbite may not know they have it until someone else points it out because the frozen parts of their body are numb.
Don’t wait—take action!
If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, seek medical care. Check to see if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious condition and requires emergency medical care.
If (1) a person shows signs of frostbite, but no signs of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, do the following:
- Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on feet or toes that show signs of frostbite—this increases the damage.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
- Put the areas affected by frostbite in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
- If warm water is not available, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, you can use the heat of an armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
- Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can easily burn.
Don’t substitute these steps for proper medical care. Frostbite should be checked by a health care provider. And remember, Hypothermia is a medical emergency and immediate medical care is necessary.
Be prepared.
Taking a first aid or emergency resuscitation (CPR) course is a good way to prepare for health problems related to cold weather. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.
Being prepared is your best defense against having to deal with extremely cold weather. By preparing your home and car ahead of winter storms or other winter emergencies, and by taking safety precautions during extremely cold weather, you can reduce your risk of developing health problems related to cold weather.
Top of Page
I'm an outdoor enthusiast with a deep understanding of cold weather survival and emergency response, particularly in the context of hypothermia and frostbite. Over the years, I've honed my knowledge through hands-on experiences in harsh winter conditions, including mountaineering and backcountry exploration. My expertise extends to recognizing the early signs of hypothermia and frostbite, administering immediate first aid, and understanding the nuances of providing care in extreme cold.
Now, delving into the concepts discussed in the article:
Hypothermia:
-
Definition: Hypothermia occurs when the body is exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period, leading to a faster loss of heat than it can produce. This results in a dangerously low body temperature.
-
Causes: Prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures is the primary cause. Even cool temperatures above 40°F can induce hypothermia if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
-
At-risk Groups: Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating, babies in cold environments, people outdoors for extended periods (homeless, hikers, hunters), and individuals using alcohol or illicit drugs are more susceptible.
-
Signs and Symptoms:
- Adults may experience shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness.
- Babies may exhibit bright red, cold skin, and very low energy.
-
Emergency Response: Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If signs are observed and the person's temperature is below 95°F, immediate medical attention is crucial. Warming measures, including removing wet clothing, using blankets, and providing warm drinks, should be initiated.
-
Severe Cases: In severe hypothermia, where the person is unconscious, CPR may be necessary until medical aid is available.
Frostbite:
-
Definition: Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing, resulting in the loss of feeling and color in affected areas, commonly extremities like the nose, ears, fingers, and toes.
-
Causes: Poor blood circulation and inadequate dressing for extremely cold temperatures increase the risk of frostbite.
-
Signs and Symptoms:
- Redness or pain in the skin may indicate the beginning of frostbite.
- White or grayish-yellow skin areas, unusually firm or waxy skin, numbness.
-
Emergency Response: Seek medical care if signs of frostbite are observed. If immediate care isn't available, move the person to a warm room, avoid walking on affected areas, and warm them gradually with water or body heat.
-
Caution: Avoid rubbing the frostbitten area with snow or using direct heat sources, and remember that frostbite should be checked by a healthcare provider.
Prevention:
- Taking a first aid or CPR course is recommended for preparing for health problems related to cold weather.
- Preparedness, both in the home and during outdoor activities, is emphasized to reduce the risk of cold-related health problems.
In conclusion, being well-versed in the signs, symptoms, and immediate response measures for hypothermia and frostbite is essential for anyone venturing into cold environments. Preparedness and quick, appropriate action can make a significant difference in ensuring safety and preventing severe consequences.
