Frost bite
| Frostbite | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Frostbitten toes two to three days after mountain climbing | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine, orthopedics |
| ICD-10 | T33-T35 |
| ICD-9-CM | 991.0-991.3 |
| DiseasesDB | 31167 |
| MedlinePlus | 000057 |
| eMedicine | emerg/209 med/2815 derm/833 ped/803 |
| Patient UK | Frostbite |
| MeSH | D005627 |
Frostbite is when exposure to cold temperatures causes freezing to the skin or other tissues. It most commonly affects the hand, feet, and face. The longer areas are exposed to cold, typically the worse the frostbite. Frostbite is classified by degrees of severity, with first degree being superficial damage to surface skin and fourth degree involving bone, muscle and tendon. This causes irreversible damage and often requires amputation.
People who are exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods are at greatest risk of frostbite, such as winter sports enthusiasts, military personnel, and homeless individuals. People with conditions that impair circulation of blood or ability to seek shelter are also at increased risk. These groups include people with diabetes and those who drink excessive alcohol. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to narrow, slowing the flow of warm blood from the core of the body to the extremities. With prolonged exposure to cold, ice crystals form in tissues. These ice crystals, in turn, damage cells and blood vessels. Specific tests are not typically required for diagnosis; the person's history and physical exam are sufficient. Frostnip, chilblains (pernio), and trench foot can look similar to frostbite.
Frostbite is preventable. The Wilderness Medical Society recommends avoiding temperatures below –15°C, covering the body properly, and avoiding situations that increase heat loss such as exhaustion, intoxication, and starvation. Treatment by rewarming, though necessary, also causes damage to tissues. Non-freezing cold injury causes inflammation of tissues without the formation of ice crystals. Treatment consists of rewarming, when refreezing is not a concern. Increasing the core temperature to above 35C is of critical importance as hypothermia is life-threatening. Aspirin and ibuprofen may prevent damaging inflammation. Wound care, antibiotics, tetanus toxoid, and pain management are often needed. Surgical debridement or amputation are sometimes necessary for severe frostbite, however, these should be delayed for several weeks until the extent of the permanent damage is known.
...
Wikipedia