FROSTBITE

Jaycen Martinezand

Inah Louella Danica Lopez

PRESENTS:

PRESENTED TO:Ms. Noemi Mariano

FROSTBITE

Also known as ‘’Congelatio ‘’

Refers to damage of skin and tissue caused by exposure to freezing temperatures – typically any temperature below -0.55 oC (31oF).

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A.FROSTNIP - superficial cooling of tissues without cellular destruction.

B.CHILBLAIN (PERNIO) - superficial blisters of the skin that occur when a predisposed individual is repeatedly exposed to cold

C.FROSTBITE involves tissue destruction.

D.TRENCH FOOT –caused by the individual repeatedly exposing their feet to cold water.

RISK FACTORSpeople who spend a great deal of time

outdoorswho are exhausted or excessively

dehydratedanyone stranded in extreme cold weather

conditions the very young and very oldpeople with conditions that cause blood

vessel damage or circulation problems, such as diabetes and Raynaud’s phenomenon

Anyone taking medications that constrict the blood vessels, including beta blockers

Smoking can also constrict the blood vessels) 

Many cases of frostbite occur in people who have taken drugs or drunken alcohol and who fall asleep outside in cold weather.

RISK FACTORS

ETIOLOGY If the body is exposed to cold temperature for

too long, it begins to concentrate on keeping you alive rather than functioning correctly

The blood vessels in the arms and legs start to constrict and the blood flow to the skin start to slow (exposing less blood to the outside)

The body prioritizes on keeping the core warm so the vital organs can continue to function and as a result the extremities start to freeze

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

 A. FIRST DEGREE (FROSTNIP)

Slight painful, prickly or itching sensation

White, red, and grayish-yellow patches of the skin

Numbness

B. SECOND DEGREEBlisters 1–2 days after becoming frozen. The blisters may become hard and

blackened, but usually appear worse than they are.

A cold or burning feelingMost of the injuries heal in one month,

but the area may become permanently insensitive to both heat and cold.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

C. THIRD AND FOURTH DEGREESThe muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves

all freeze. The skin is hard, feels waxy, and use of the area

is lost temporarily, and in severe cases, permanently.

Areas of purplish blisters which turn black and which are generally blood-filled.

Nerve damage in the area can result in a loss of feeling.

Area becomes infected with gangrene and fall off

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

FROSTBITE

IMAGES

EMERGENCY CARE• It is important that a person with frostbite

is taken to a warm environment as soon as it is safe to do so, as they are also likely to have hypothermia.

• Protect your skin from further exposure. If you're outside, warm frostbitten hands by tucking them into your armpits. Protect your face, nose or ears by covering the area with dry, gloved hands. Don't rub the affected area and never rub snow on frostbitten skin.

• Get out of the cold. Once you're indoors, remove wet clothes.

Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible. This further damages the tissue

Do not put pressure on the frostbitten area. Keep the affected body part elevated in order to

reduce swelling. The affected area should be re-warmed slowly by

immersing it in warm water at 40-42oC (104-107.6oF) usually 15 to 30 minutes. However, do this only if there is no possibility of refreezing. If re-warmed tissue becomes frozen again, there will be further tissue damage. Wrap them up so that they don't become frozen again.

EMERGENCY CARE

• Don't use direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad, because these can cause burns before you feel them on your numb skin.

• Apply a dry, sterile bandage, place cotton between any involved fingers or toes (to prevent rubbing), and take the person to a medical facility as soon as possible.

• Get emergency medical help. If numbness or sustained pain remains during warming or if blisters develop, seek medical attention

EMERGENCY CARE

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

• Narcotic pain medications may be given because this process is very painful.

• Because dehydration is very common, IV fluids may also be given.

• The clear blisters are debrided (dead tissue is removed) while the bloody ones are often left intact so as not to disturb the underlying blood vessels.

• A tetanus booster is given if needed.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

• People with frostbite are hospitalized for at least 1 to 2 days to determine the extent of injury and to receive further treatment.

• Aloe vera cream is applied every 6 hours, and the area is elevated and splinted.

• Ibuprofen or similar agents may be given to combat inflammation

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT• For deep frostbite, daily water therapy in a 40

C (104 F) whirlpool bath will be performed in order to remove any dead tissue

• Physical therapy in order to get circulation regulated again

• amputation when there is a severe damage of the affected area

• TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) may be given into an artery to reduce the incidence of blood clots. This can only be given to people who are not at risk for significant bleeding

PREVENTING FROSTBITES

• Wearing appropriate clothing – Multiple layers of clothing are best, and mittens are better than gloves (keeps your warm fingers together while warming each other).

• Clothes should fit loosely to avoid a decrease in blood flow to the arms and legs.

• Shoes should be waterproof. • Cover your head, face, nose, and ears at all

times, wearing a weatherproof hat

• Avoiding unnecessary exposure to cold • Avoid smoking and alcohol• Keeping dry – remove any wet clothing • Planning for emergencies – for example

making sure you keep a warm blanket and some spare clothes if driving in icy conditions in case you break down

• Always travel with a friend in case help is needed

PREVENTING FROSTBITES

COMPLICATIONS• A life-threatening drop in body

temperature (hypothermia) • The affected body part becoming

particularly vulnerable to infections, such as tetanus

• Long-term pain • Gangrene and tissue necrosis• Permanent loss of sensation• Paralysis• Bone destruction