Frostbite

Summary

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

If you have frostbite, the skin in that area may turn white or grayish-yellow. It may feel firm or waxy when you touch it. The area will also feel numb.

If you have symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. But if immediate medical care isn’t available, here are steps to take:

• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• If possible, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes. Walking increases the damage.
• Put the affected area in warm – not hot – water.
• You can also warm the affected area using body heat. For example, use your armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
• Don’t rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
• Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Since frostbite makes an area numb, you could burn it.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Avoiding Frostbite and Hypothermia National Safety Council
• Cold Stress Can Be Prevented Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Specifics

• Chilblains Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Trench Foot or Immersion Foot Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Frostbite National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• Cold Stress National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Physical Allergy Merck & Co., Inc.

Start Here

• Frostbite Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Patient Handouts

• Frostbite Medical Encyclopedia
• How to prevent frostbite and hypothermia Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Frostbite, First Aid VisualDX
• Frostbite: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Hypothermia and Frostbite: Easier to Develop Than You Might Think

Journal Articles

• Frostbite