PROTECTION
AGAINST FROSTBITE DURING THIS FREEZING WEATHER
Working outdoors can be especially risky and tricky in
the winter months. Be aware of the dangers.
As a blast of icy weather moves across the country,
closing schools, causing delays and even, in Minnesota, shutting down a ski
resort, the threat of cold-related injuries becomes more pronounced, especially
for those workers whose jobs require prolonged exposure to the cold elements.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a
helpful guide to recognizing and reacting to frostbite, an injury sustained
from freezing most often affecting the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or
toes.
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by
freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. 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. The
risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and
among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.
Recognizing
Frostbite
·
A white or grayish-yellow skin area
·
Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
·
Numbness
A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone
else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.
What to Do
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result
from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of
hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia
is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and
(2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
·
Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
·
Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on
frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
·
Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water
(the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the
body).
·
Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For
example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
·
Do not 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. Affected areas are numb and can
be easily burned.
These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical
care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a
health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency
resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing
what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of
others.
Taking preventive action is your best defense against
having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and
car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions
during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of
weather-related health problems.
