If Your Skin Is Going Gray, You Have Frostbite

Now that snow and colder temperatures have arrived, one way to tell if you or those around you have frostbite is to see if your skin is turning a grayish color.

Frostbite occurs on exposed skin surfaces that do not tend to get good blood supply, such as the nose, fingertips and toes, says Robert Korn, MD, medical director of GoHealth. Early signs of frostbite include a tingling sensation or loss of feeling in the part of your body that has been affected. Those who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention.

If you want to try to remedy your frostbite while on the way to seeking medical attention, try warm water.

“There is an old wives’ tale about putting your hand in ice water if you get frostbite,” Dr. Korn says. “It turns out the actual remedy is to use warm water. As a first line of defense, put your hand in a glove, pocket or your armpit and get out of the cold.”

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