What is Frostbite?
Frostbite is a condition characterized by injury to the skin and tissues that are exposed to extremely cold temperatures. The most affected parts are the outermost layer of the skin of the feet and hands.
Causes of Frostbite in Feet
Frostbite is caused mainly due to the exposure of your feet to extremely cold climates or direct contact with any cold liquids, ice packs, or cold surfaces. This causes the water content present inside your skin and underlying tissues to freeze and form ice crystals leading to cell death.
Risk Factors for Frostbite
Risk factors for frostbite include:
- Wearing clothes that are not suited to cold weather conditions
- Being exposed to extremely cold climates for too long
- Staying at high altitudes
Symptoms of Frostbite in Feet
Symptoms of frostbite include:
- Prickling sensation in the skin
- Numbness
- Color change in the skin due to lack of blood supply
- Hard and frozen skin
- Blisters formed due to blood clotting
- Stiffness in muscles and joints
Stages of Frostbite
There are 3 different stages of frostbite:
- Frostnip: This is the mild form of frostbite that causes numbness, pain, and a tingling sensation.
- Superficial frostbite: The skin turns red or white and may feel slightly warm, but the water in the skin begins to freeze into water ice crystals.
- Deep frostbite: The cold penetrates the layer of tissue underlying the skin causing freezing of the tissue and loss of sensation affecting the joints and muscles.
Diagnosis of Frostbite in Feet
Diagnosis is made based on your symptoms and physical examination of your feet. Further testing may be ordered such as:
- X-ray: To detect the damage to your bones
- MRI scan: To visualize the damaged soft tissues
- Bone scan: To determine bone viability
Treatment for Frostbite in Feet
Treatment for frostbite is provided based on the severity of the injury and involves:
- Rewarming the skin: Your doctor will rewarm the skin by placing your feet in a warm water bath for 15-30 minutes. The hard skin will gradually become soft and you will be encouraged to start moving the area.
- Pain medication: You will be provided will oral pain medications as the rewarming process can sometimes be painful.
- Protection of the injury: The injured area will be loosely wrapped with dressings or towels to protect the site of injury.
- Removal of damaged tissue: Your doctor will remove the damaged or dead tissue to prevent infection and encourage healing of tissue.
- Hydrotherapy: The affected foot can be placed in a whirlpool bath to remove all the dead cells and improve blood circulation in the area.
Prevention from Frostbite
Measures to prevent frostbite include:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to cold climates
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing
- Always apply moisturizer to your feet and cover them with socks in cold weather
- Avoid vigorous rubbing and massaging
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Consume a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly