Health Alert: Cold Temps and Frost Bite Advisory

While the kitchens may be heating up, the National Weather Service is predicting what’s being called one of the coldest Thanksgivings on record, with highs in the twenties and wind gusts that will make it feel like it’s only in the teens. And although we’re inching our way into winter, the weather is still unseasonably cold. In fact, the forecasted temperatures for Thursday in particular are nearly 25 degrees colder than what’s considered normal for this time of year. With the cold weather predicted to last into the weekend, it’s important to recognize the signs of cold injury, like frostbite, and how to prevent it.

There are three degrees of cold injury: frostnip, superficial frostbite and deep frostbite. Frostbite is caused when body tissue — usually exposed body parts away from your core like fingers, toes, ears or nose — freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold and a low wind-chill factor.

Christopher Freer, DO, FAAEM, FACEP, Chairman of the Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, cautions individuals to avoid exposure to frigid temperatures.

Know the Symptoms

Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite where only the skin freezes. Signs of frostnip include:

• Skin that appears yellowish or white but feels soft if touched
• Painful tingling or a burning sensation
• A "pins and needles" feeling followed by numbness
• Hard, pale and cold skin
• Aching or throbbing
• Lack of sensation; you may not feel the affected body part if someone touches you there.
• Red and painful as the skin thaws

Signs of superficial frostbite include:

The longer the exposure, the worse frostbite will get.

“And although it may be your first instinct, do not use a heating pad, fireplace or radiator for warming since the affected areas are likely numb, it can be burned easily.”

Dr. Freer warns that those with signs of superficial or deep frostbite should seek immediate emergency medical help.

“To treat frostbite at the first signs, move to a warm location as fast as possible and soak the affected area in warm, not hot, water,” said Dr. Freer. “Or you can warm the affected area using body heat. For example, frostbit fingers can be warmed under your armpits.”

Tips for Preventing Frostbite

With the bitter cold expected for Black Friday shopping this weekend, Dr. Freer recommends people to forgo the long lines and stay indoors, but if you must go outside, dress smart.

“Use common sense when dealing with cold weather,” said Dr. Freer. “Stay inside but if you must go outside, do not allow your skin to be exposed to the cold and wind for a prolonged period of time. That’s how we see frostbite occur.” Dr. Freer suggests that shoppers wear mittens, not gloves, wind-proof, layered clothing, cover your ears and head with a hat or scarf.

“And simply get inside if you think frostbite might be occurring,” added Dr. Freer.