SAFETY BLOG

Frostbite Emergencies

Working outside in the winter weather can be a very hazardous undertaking.  Extreme cold can pose many threats to our personal safety.  Frostbite should always be taken very seriously.  Please review the following safety huddle with employees that may be exposed to cold temperatures.

Frost Bite Emergencies

• Occurs when skin tissues freeze
• Two causes of frostbite:
1. Cellular death at exposure
2. Narrowing of blood vessels in extremities due to the shunting of blood from the extremities to the core of the body, thus leaving less oxygenated warm blood for the areas farthest from the core
• Most commonly affected areas of the body are nose, cheeks, ears, fingers & toes
• There are three degrees of frostbite:
• 1st Degree: irritates the skin
• burning, numbness, tingling, itching & cold sensations
• appears white in color and feels frozen but retains resistance in the skin
• 2nd Degree:  blisters with no major damage
• decrease in sensation
• swelling and blood filled blisters over white or yellowish skin that looks waxy
• turns purplish-blue when rewarmed
• significant pain with rewarming
• ache and throbbing in 2-3 days
• 3rd Degree (deep frostbite):  all layers of skin affected, permanent tissue damage
• sensation is completely lost
• no resistance, hard to the touch
• only time will reveal the final amount of permanent tissue damage
• Treatment:
• call for professional medical help
• keep affected area elevated to reduce swelling
• move to a warm area to prevent further heat loss
• always look for symptoms of hypothermia to accompany frostbite
• remove all constrictive jewelry and clothes which may further constrict blood flow
• provide warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fluids
• apply dry, sterile dressings or bandages
• place cotton between fingers and toes to prevent friction damage
• do not rewarm if the affected area may refreeze
• avoid gradual thaws
• rewarm area quickly
• rapid transport to a hospital is critical

 Stay safe out there!