AVOIDING FROSTBITE
This post is a cautionary addition to my December 18 blog Winter Hiking Fun.
I grew up in Denver Colorado where, in the winter, the temperature often goes below zero F. Between the ages of 12-16, I had a morning paper route delivering the Rocky Mountain News. I got up at 5am each morning and fetched that day’s newspapers bundled and left even earlier on my front porch. Then I folded and rubber- banded them on my kitchen table, and stuffed them in my bicycle’s cloth paper bags. Finally, I took off to deliver 100 + newspapers to subscribers on my neighborhood route. During the summer months it was usually pleasant. But during the winter months it could be bitterly cold.
I normally dressed for the weather, but sometimes I hurried—commonly after oversleeping—outside without sufficient warm clothing. I contracted frostnip a few times in my hands and face, but usually got back inside before developing frostbite. Still, once in a while I delayed too long and acquired frostbite in my fingers. Again, I got inside fast enough to submerge my hands in warm water (not hot) and slowly let them come to room temperature. However, once I didn’t take action quick enough and my fingers on both hands incurred permanent damage. Ever since, I have increased sensitivity to cold and often feel my hands getting numb just going out into cooler weather.
Thus, when you’re out on winter hikes—or skiing or snowboarding or ice skating—you definitely want to prevent frostbite. I found advice from the American Academy of Dermatology Association online article How to Prevent and Treat Frostbite. Here are excerpts:
When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Frostbite occurs when the skin – and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin – freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on how long and how frozen the tissue, frostbite can result in severe, sometimes permanent, damage.
To stay warm and prevent frostbite, follow these tips from dermatologists:
Dress in loose, light, comfortable layers. Wearing loose, light layers helps trap warm air. The first layer should be made of a synthetic material, which wicks moisture away from your body. The next layer should be insulating. Wool and fleece are good insulators and hold in more body heat than cotton. The top layer should be windproof and waterproof. A down parka and ski pants can help keep you dry and warm during outdoor activities.- Protect your feet and toes. To protect your feet and toes, wear two pairs of socks. The first pair, next to your skin, should be made of moisture-wicking fabric. Place a pair of wool or wool-blend socks on top of those. Your boots should also provide adequate insulation. They should be waterproof and cover your ankles. Make sure that nothing feels tight, as tight clothing increases the risk of frostbite.
- Protect your head. To protect your ears and head, wear heavy wool or fleece hat. If you are outside on a bitterly cold day, cover your face with a scarf or face mask. This warms the air you breathe and helps prevent frostbite on your nose and face.
- Protect your hands. Wear insulated mittens or gloves to help protect your hands from the cold.
- Make sure snow cannot get inside of your boots or clothing. Wet clothing increases the risk of developing frostbite. Before heading outdoors, make sure that snow cannot easily get inside of your boots or clothing. While outdoors, if you start to sweat, cut back on your activity or unzip your jacket a bit.
- Keep yourself hydrated. Becoming dehydrated also increases the risk of developing frostbite. Even if you are not thirsty, drink at least one glass of water before you head outside, and always drink water or a sports drink before an outdoor workout. In addition, avoid alcohol, as it increases your risk for frostbite.
- Recognize the symptoms. In order to detect frostbite early, when it’s most treatable, it’s important to recognize the symptoms. The first signs of frostbite include redness and a stinging, burning, throbbing or prickling sensation followed by numbness. If this occurs, head indoors immediately.
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How to treat frostbite yourself
Remove all wet clothing.- Warm your skin by soaking the frostbitten area in warm water (around 100 F). Since the skin may be numb, be careful not to burn it with hot water. Burning could cause more damage to the tissue. When your skin feels soft again, you can stop warming it.
- Cover the frostbitten area with clean cloth. If your fingers or toes are frostbitten, wrap each one individually.
- Avoid walking on frostbitten toes or feet.
- Don’t rub frostbitten areas because rubbing skin that’s hard or numb can cause tissue damage.
If you do not feel sensation returning to your body, or if the skin begins to turn gray, go to an emergency room immediately.