Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

People working or playing outside in the cold should beware of frostbite, an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. The nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes are most often affected. Frostbite can lead to permanent damage to the body. Severe cases can result in amputation. There is increased risk in people with reduced blood circulation or for those not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures. If there is redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect exposed skin. Look for these signs of frostbite:

• A white or grayish-yellow skin area
• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• Numbness

Victims are often unaware of frostbite until someone points it out, as the frozen tissues are numb. If symptoms are present, seek medical care. If care is not available right away, then proceed as follows:

• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• If possible, avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes to prevent more damage.
• Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water or use body heat, such as an armpit to warm frostbitten fingers. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove or radiator for warming, as they could burn the affected area.
• Do not rub the frostbitten areas with snow or massage it. This can cause more damage.

These steps are not a substitute for medical care and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible. For more information call the Genesee County Health Department at 810-257-3612.