Health Conditions
There are a variety of health conditions that can be caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. When combined with wind chill, they can become deadly. Hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains are all conditions that are preventable and have distinct warning signs.
Hypothermia
A condition in which the body uses up its stored energy and can no longer produce heat. Often occurs after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
Early Symptoms | Late Symptoms | First Aid |
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- Shivering
- Fatigue
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion and disorientation
| - No shivering
- Blue skin
- Dilated pupils
- Slowed pulse and breathing
- Loss of consciousness
| - Request immediate medical assistance.
- Move the victim into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove wet clothing.
- Warm the center of their body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, or towels.
- If conscious, warm beverages may help increase the body temperature. Do not give alcohol.
- Once temperature has increased keep them dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
- If no pulse, begin CPR.
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Frostbite
An injury to the body that is caused by freezing, which most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
Symptoms | First Aid |
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- Reduced blood flow to hands and feet
- Numbness
- Aching
- Tingling or stinging
- Bluish or pale, waxy skin
| - Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Unless necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes.
- Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water, or warm the affected area using body heat. Do not use a heating pad, fireplace, or radiator for warming.
- Do not massage the frostbitten area; doing so may cause more damage.
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Trench Foot
An injury of the feet resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions that can occur at temperatures as high as 60 °F if the feet are constantly wet.
Symptoms | First Aid |
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- Reddening of the skin
- Numbness
- Leg cramps
- Swelling
- Tingling pain
- Blisters or ulcers
- Bleeding under the skin
- Gangrene (foot may turn dark purple, blue, or gray)
| - Remove shoes/boots and wet socks.
- Dry feet.
- Avoid walking on feet, as this may cause tissue damage.
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Chilblains
Ulcers formed by damaged small blood vessels in the skin, caused by the repeated exposure of skin to temperatures just above freezing to as high as 60 °F.
Symptoms | First Aid |
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- Redness
- Itching
- Possible blistering
- Inflammation
- Possible ulceration in severe cases
| - Avoid scratching.
- Slowly warm the skin.
- Use corticosteroid creams to relieve itching and swelling
- Keep blisters and ulcers clean and covered.
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