Cold Related Illnesses

Dana Tegeler, MEd, ATC, LAT

It is soccer season in Texas, which means winter is here! Being in southeast Texas we do not usually have to worry about cold related illnesses like our northernneighbors. Frostbite and hypothermia are not as common to us as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but they are important. Some of the more common cold related illnesses are chilblains, frost nip/ frostbite and hypothermia.

Chilblains:

Chilblains occur when the skin is repeatedly exposed to cold temperatures ranging from below freezing up to 60 degrees. Cheeks, ears fingers and toes are the most common affected areas.

Signs and Symptom:Redness, inflammation, itching, blistering and ulcers in severe cases

Care: Slowly warm skin, avoid scratching affected areas, keep blisters and ulcers clean and covered.

Frost nip/Frostbite:

Damage to skin and other tissues caused by freezing; when the skin is exposed to temperatures near the freezing mark. Air temperature, wind speed and moisture all factor into skin temperature. This can cause permanent damage to tissues and in severe cases can lead to amputation.

Signs and Symptoms: Aching, numbness and tingling, blow flow reduction, blush/ pale skin

Care:Get the person warm (you can accomplish this by applying warm water to the affected area), warm the area using body heat (do not apply directly on the affected area). If fingers are frostbitten you can place heating pad under armpit becauserubbing affected area could cause more damage to the tissue.

Hypothermia:

This occurs when the body is exposed to cold and is unable to maintain normal body temperature. There are many factors which can lead to hypothermia. A person’s age, health, exposure time in cold, older adults and young children, also those with diabetes and other medical conditions are at an increased risk of hypothermia.

Signs and Symptoms:MildShivering, confusion, fatigue, loss of coordination, slow weak pulse

SevereNo shivering, blue skin, loss of consciousness, dilated pupils

Care:Move and warm person as quickly as possible, remove wet clothing, monitor vital signs, call for medical assistance

Prevention:

Dress in warm layers. Wearing fabrics that will stay warm even when wet like synthetic materials as a base layer of clothing. Wearing gloves will protect your hands, while wearing hats and scarves will protect head and neck. Remember to try and stay dry, seek shelter if possible.

More information can be found: