But sometimes, patients experience life-long numbness in these areas. And in severe cases, amputation is needed if blood flow to the skin is permanently blocked. The colder it gets, the faster you get frostbite. And when you add wind and water, the process speeds up even more. Every person and every situation is different, but here are a few guidelines to know:.
The chart below from the National Weather Service shows how long it might take to develop frostbite at varying temperatures and wind speeds. If you're travelling during cold weather, plan for emergencies. For example, if you're driving in icy conditions, make sure you keep a warm blanket and some spare clothes in the boot of your car in case you break down.
If you're travelling by foot, always let others know where you're going and what time you'll be back. Take a fully charged mobile phone with you so you can call for help if you have an accident, such as a fall. Be careful when drinking alcohol during very cold weather. Drinking too much increases your risk of falling asleep in the cold, a common cause of frostbite. Alcohol also causes you to lose heat at a faster rate.
Smoking also makes you more vulnerable to the effects of the cold because nicotine can narrow your blood vessels. If some of your tissue dies, the dead tissue will no longer have a blood supply. This can make the affected body part very vulnerable to infection because your body relies on white blood cells to ward off infections. People with frostbite are at risk of bacterial wound infections, such as tetanus. More seriously, this infection can spread into the blood sepsis , which requires treatment with antibiotics.
Both conditions require hospital admission. Read more about treating tetanus and treating sepsis. Severe frostbite is often associated with hypothermia , which is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C 95F. Someone with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and have shallow breathing and a weak pulse. Read more about how hypothermia is treated. Page last reviewed: 24 August Next review due: 24 August When to get medical attention If you think you or someone else may have frostbite, call your GP or NHS for advice.
Treating frostbite A person with frostbite should be taken to a warm environment as soon as possible. What causes frostbite? Frostbite will kick in in under 30 minutes when it's 5 degrees and the wind's blowing at 30mph producing a "feels like" temp of degrees. Generally speaking, it'll take hours -- if at all -- for frostbite to kick in when the temperature is 10 degrees or higher, no matter the wind speed.
Joe McGauley is a senior writer for Thrillist. Follow him jwmcgauley. Make Fun. Thrillist Serves. Enter your email address Subscribe.
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