What to do if I froze my fingers

In winter, people regularly go to the health centers with frostbite, most often in January and February. But do not confuse it with simple banal hypothermia. Frostbite is a real thermal injury, the same as a burn. Only in this situation it occurs under the influence of low temperatures or strong wind. According to statistics, most of the frostbite occurs in the fingers and toes. And, according to experts, at times the injuries themselves are not as terrible as the consequences of improperly rendered first aid.

Frozen fingers: symptoms

Under the influence of cold, arterioles spasm and their thrombosis occur. These processes entail a violation of blood circulation, after which the necrosis of tissues may occur. Frostbite is characterized by the fact that changes occur unevenly. Therefore, the surface of the skin almost always acquires a marble shade. First, in the frostbitten fingers and toes, a feeling of cold and pain is felt, then the limb begins to grow numb, the pain syndrome disappears, and then every sensation. This so-called anesthesia makes the process less noticeable and very often is the culprit of severe irreversible consequences.

Only after some time, after the victim is warmed up, experts will be able to assess the area and depth of the injury. Frostbite is divided into two periods. The first is called latent (pre-reactive), and the second is reactive, it manifests itself immediately after warming. The latent period is characterized by pallor of the skin, loss of sensitivity and a decrease in temperature in these places. If on the frost-bitten areas begins puffiness, then this is considered the onset of a reactive period.

What can I do if I frostbite?

Of course, once you want to warm a frozen person and put his stiff limbs in saving heat. But under no circumstances should this be done by lowering the limbs into hot water or warming near an open fire. Frozen skin continues to maintain a low temperature, a significant difference in degrees, even if the water seems to be a little warm can provoke an irreversible process in the tissues. Everything should be done gradually, if the cage was not yet ready for a sharp revival, it dies and involves neighbors in this process.

Frozen fingers and toes should never be ground with snow or wool. Fabrics in this case are seriously damaged. Wool instantly rips the skin, causing irritation. Formed quite deep abrasions, which can easily penetrate the infection. Snow still further cools the skin, and its crystals injure an already inflamed surface.

First aid with frostbite

Experts say that a person who has undergone severe hypothermia needs to be warmed gradually. It is better to start this process from the inside, so that the blood circulation slowly, but with the slightest loss, it starts to come to life. The first step is to place a heat-insulating bandage on the frost-bitten areas of the body, this may be a woolen scarf, shawl or shawl. Under it is desirable to place a layer of cotton wool and several packages of polyethylene. This dressing has the properties of a thermostat, which slowly returns cells on numb surfaces to life. It will be better if you minimize contact with frost-bitten areas, because not only the skin but also the tendons, muscle tissue and blood vessels are damaged. After a few hours, remove the dressing and gently wipe the skin with cotton wool, moistened with vodka or diluted alcohol. After this, you can again apply a warming compress and climb under the blanket.