Prolonged exposure to cold weather can be very dangerous and cause many health problems. Frostbite and hypothermia are two very common outcomes. Both of these cold induced health conditions can cause serious damage. Here is a breakdown of things you need to know about each one of them.
Frostbite Facts
1. Basics
Frostbite is an injury that is caused when the skin and other tissues become frozen and localized damage is caused. Portions of the body that are furthest away from the heart are most likely to be affected with frost bite. Frostbite is most common the fingers, nose, ears, and toes.
2. Types
There are three basic types of frost bite that can occur.
Frostnip: A freezing of only superficial tissues and no cells are destructed.
Chilblains: Ulcers that form on the skin when repeated exposure to the cold occurs.
Frostbite: This is when the skin, as well as tissues lying underneath, become completely frozen and tissue is destroyed.
3. Symptoms
The symptoms of frostbite vary with the severity of damage that has been done. Some mild symptoms include a pins and needles feeling, pale skin, very cold skin to the touch. Some more severe symptoms are blisters, blackened or dead tissue, damage to the muscles and nerves, hypothermia.
4. Treatment
The treatments that are available for frostbite also depend on how severe each individuals case is. If the case is very mild then basic first aid may be sufficient treatment. You should always check for hypothermia. Protecting your skin from more exposure is also very important, if the tissues thaw and are then re frozen more extensive tissue damage may occur. Removing any wet or cold clothes is also very important, you need to warm up the area. The best way to thaw the tissue is to soak in warm water, not hot as it can burn the affected tissues. Over the counter pain medications may also be taken.
　　If your injuries are severe than medical treatment may be required. THe first thing that is normally done is a rewarming of the tissues with a warm bath. They will then protect the injury by loosely covering it with sterile bandages. The removal of dead tissue may also be necessary as the only way for the skin to heal properly is if no damaged or dead tissue is present. You will also be prescribed something in order to prevent an infection from occurring. In extreme cases amputation may be in order.
　　
Important Facts About Hypothermia
1. Overview
Hypothermia is when the body begins losing heat fasting than it can produce eat. This causes dangerously low body temperature and organs cannot work properly. A person is considered to be experiencing hypothermia if their body temperature goes below 95 degrees F. This is considered a medical emergency.
2. Causes
Hypothermia is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to cold weather but other factors play a role. If you are not dressing appropriately for the temperature than you body can begin to lose radiated heat (heat lost from unprotected parts of the body). Staying in wet clothes can also increase your risk of developing hypothermia. In older people and young children having inadequate heating or air conditioning that is too cold can also cause hypothermia.
3. Symptoms
The degree of hypothermia that is being experienced can range from mild to severe and each have different symptoms to watch out for. In mild cases shivering, hunger, fast breathing, confusion, fatigue, and an increased heart rate are common. With moderate to severe cases shivering stops, slurred speech, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, very slow breathing, and a slowed heart rate may be experienced. People with hypothermia are usually not aware of their condition, so it is important to monitor them closely.
4. Treatment
The treatments for hypothermia include to immediately move the person out of the cold, if you are unable to move them try to shield them the best you can. Provide the person with warm beverages, this can help to increase the body temperature. Medical treatments may include rewarming the blood by using a hemodialysis machine, use an IV to give warm fluids, and using humidified oxygen through a mask or nasal tube to help raise body temperature.
Differences Between Frostbite and Hypothermia
1.Internal/External
Frostbite and hypothermia are different in one big way. Frostbite affects the outer parts of the body, the skin. Hypothermia however causes internal parts of the body to be affected, like body temperature and organ function.
2. Centralized
Hypothermia causes symptoms in the entire body when the temperature of a person drops. Frostbite only causes injury to one part of the body, or multiple, but not the entire body system.
3. One and The Other
When cold related medical conditions come about, such as hypothermia or frostbite, they can often come in conjunction with each other. It is very common for hypothermia to occur on its own, however frostbite is more often than not joined with hypothermia as well.