Frostbite and hypothermia are the greatest threats facing anyone who ventures outside in temperatures below freezing, according to a news release from the local health departments. It only takes a few minutes in subzero weather for problems to occur.
Officials at the Henry and Stark County Health Departments warn that frostbite occurs when the cold outside slows circulation and tissue begins to die. The hands and feet are usually affected first.
“Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature is lowered and can result in death if the drop in body heat slows the heart rate too much. Frostbite symptoms include numbness in the fingers, ears, nose, or feet. The affected areas may be red or white and hurt when rewarmed.”
Medical treatment for frostbite usually consists of rewarming the affected area. Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in significant destruction of tissue. Serious cases of frostbite can result in gangrene, leading to possible amputation of the affected body part.
Tips on how to prevent frostbite and hypothermia include wearing hats which cover the ears, scarves or masks to cover the face, mittens instead of gloves so fingers can warm each other, and several layers of clothing to trap the body heat. Dampness increases the risk of frostbite and clothing should be changed if it becomes wet.
Drinking alcohol also increases the chance of both hypothermia and frostbite, since alcohol slows down the heart and blurs the judgment of how cold the person really is. Smokers are more apt to experience spasms in blood vessels which interfere with circulation, thus increasing the threat of frostbite.
Health officials urge residents to avoid exposure to extreme cold for more than a few minutes. Serious tissue damage, they say, can occur in a short period of time.
