1、 Frostbite is classified according to its severity: in simple terms, the degree of frostbite, like burns, is divided into four types: redness, swelling, heat, and blisters.
First degree frostbite, clinical manifestation: local skin erythema and mild edema. After thawing and rewarming: The local skin immediately turns red or purplish red, swollen, and congested. The patient feels local heat, itching, or burning pain. Prognostic recovery: The symptoms disappear and recover after a few days, leaving no marks on the skin, and the function is not affected.
Second degree frostbite, clinical manifestations: blisters or blisters formed on the skin, with yellow viscous liquid or viscous plasma inside the blisters. After thawing and rewarming: Severe local pain and insensitivity to cold and hot stings. Prognostic recovery: The symptoms disappear and recover after a few days, leaving no marks on the skin, and the function is also not affected.
Third degree frostbite, clinical manifestation: whole skin necrosis. After thawing and rewarming: The skin appears brown and black, with obvious necrosis. Sometimes the skin can also turn white and then necrosis. Prognostic recovery: After skin recovery, there are scars and functional impairments. Belongs to a more severe manifestation of frostbite.
4 degree frostbite, clinical manifestation: necrosis and detachment of a certain part of the body, such as limbs. After thawing and rewarming: The skin gradually turns brown and black, with obvious necrosis. Sometimes the skin can also turn white and then necrosis. Prognostic recovery: There are scars and functional disorders on the skin, with disabilities remaining.
2、 Classification of frostbite based on environment and location:
1. According to the frostbite environment, it can be divided into “trench feet”, “water soaked hands, water soaked feet”, etc
2. According to the location of frostbite, it can be divided into local frostbite and systemic frostbite
3、 The causes and treatment methods of frostbite
Local frostbite causes:
1. In general low temperature environments (around 0 degrees), local heat loss increases and body temperature decreases;
2. Tight binding of sleeves and pants can cause poor blood circulation and worsen frostbite;
3. Insufficient intake of dietary calories;
4. Bleeding and shock caused by injury leading to a reduction in local heat sources
Local frostbite symptoms: cold, pale, hard, numb; Redness, swelling, stinging, burning, blisters; The skin changes from cyan purple and grayish white to black and brown
The location of local frostbite: face, nose, ear, elbow, forearm, wrist, fingers, toes, ankle.
Exposure to snow can damage the arms, abdominal walls, and external genitalia.
Emergency treatment for frostbite: Quickly evacuate from the cold environment and warm up as soon as possible. So how to rewarm it? Soak people in water at 40-42 degrees Celsius, and continuously add water during the soaking period to maintain the water temperature. Stop soaking after the body warms up. After cleaning with local water or soapy water, apply frostbite cream. Frostbite above 2 degrees requires dressing and wrapping. When the skin is severely frostbitten or necrotic, inject tetanus antitoxin or toxoid.
In the absence of warm water in the wild, the injured can also be placed under the armpit or groin of an unfrozen person for rewarming. Attention, it is strictly prohibited to grill, rub with snow, soak in cold water, or forcefully hit the injured person’s affected area.
Causes of systemic frostbite: often occurring during high-altitude exploration or other accidents: staying in cold environments for too long, insufficient warmth and cold prevention measures, getting stuck in snow or soaking in ice water, getting drunk, or starving.
Clinical manifestations of systemic frostbite: Initially, the skin is pale and cold. After rewarming, there is edema and chills in the posterior part. As the body temperature gradually decreases, the patient feels numb, limb weakness, extreme fatigue, and hallucinations of consciousness. Examination revealed slow and shallow breathing, bradycardia, and ultimately coma. In severe cases, the heartbeat and breathing stop.
The location of systemic frostbite is generally affected by internal organs. Bones, muscles, liver, kidneys, pancreas. Can cause: ventricular fibrillation (heartbeat 200-400/minute, usually 1-2 minutes before death), gastric mucosal bleeding. During the recovery period, there may be thrombosis and tissue ischemic necrosis.
Emergency treatment for systemic frostbite: keep the body warm, quickly and properly move the injured person to a warm environment, take off clothes, and cover the blanket. Wrap a hot water bag, kettle, etc. with cloth or clothing, place them under the armpit, and quickly heat up in the groin area. Or soak in water at 34-35 degrees Celsius for 5-10 minutes, then raise the soaking water temperature to 40-42 degrees Celsius, and stop heating after the injured person shows regular breathing. After the injured person has consciousness, they can drink hot drinks or a small amount of alcohol. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation upon sudden death Basic methods of first aid: chest and heart massage
4、 “Three Nos” and “Three Diligence” in Preventing Frostbite
“Three Nos”
No: Do not wear damp or overly tight shoes and socks;
Two no: not staying still for a long time;
Three Nos: Do not climb alone without preparation.
“Three Diligence”
Diligent: move hands and feet frequently;
Second diligence: rub your face frequently;
San Qin: Regularly scald your feet with hot water.
