#Ice burn on skin skin

The procedure to remove dead tissue is called debridement. If some of the tissue of the affected body part has died ( gangrene), it'll need to be removed. When severe frostbite threatens the loss of a limb, finger or toe, a person should be considered for treatment with tPA or iloprost within 24 hours of the injury happening.Įxperience has shown that treatment given within this timeframe has the best outcomes in terms of saving the affected body part.īut giving these treatments after 24 hours could still be considered to be an option at an experienced unit. It works by widening the blood vessels that supply blood to the affected body part. Iloprost is sometimes used to treat severe frostbite. You may also be given antibiotics to prevent the affected body part becoming infected. This should improve blood flow to the affected body part, which can stimulate healing and prevent further damage. Medicine to help break up small clots in the frostbitten blood vessels will be given as injections or through a drip in your arm. If there's a high risk of major damage, you may have thrombolytic therapy (tPA). This is often a specialist burns unit because exposure to very high temperatures can cause the same type of injury as exposure to very cold temperatures. If you have severe frostbite, you'll need to be admitted to a specialist unit where medical staff are experienced in treating these types of injuries. The area usually recovers within 6 months.

#Ice burn on skin skin

If the frostbite is superficial, new pink skin will form beneath the discoloured skin and scabs. Avoid walking on affected feet and toes that have been rewarmed, as the tissues will be very delicate.Īfter rewarming, the skin will be discoloured and blistered, and will eventually scab over. Too much movement should be avoided, and the limbs should be raised if possible. It's very important to keep the skin clean to avoid infection. After rewarmingĪfter the frostbitten area has been thawed, it should be gently wrapped in clean bandages, with the fingers and toes separated. Ibuprofen should also be taken as it has additional protective properties for frostbite. This process can be repeated twice a day until there are clear signs that the affected body part is beginning to heal, such as the growth of new skin and the return of normal skin colour.ĭepending on the severity of pain, strong painkillers, such as morphine, may be needed. Rewarming should last at least 30 minutes and only be stopped once the affected body part is a red-purple colour and can be easily moved. A bath of water at a temperature of 37C to 39C (98.6F to 102.2F) is recommended. The affected area should be rewarmed slowly by immersing it in warm, but not hot, water. The best results are achieved using a whirlpool bath that contains a mild antiseptic. Rewarming should ideally be carried out under medical supervision – it can be a painful process requiring painkillers and expert medical assessment. If the warming process is started and the frozen parts are then re-exposed to the cold, it can cause further, irreversible damage. Rewarming shouldn't be attempted until you're out of the cold. The frostbitten areas need to be rewarmed.

don't smoke if you have frostbite (or allow someone else with frostbite to smoke) because smoking can affect blood circulation.

don't rub the affected area or apply direct heat (such as from a fire or heater) as this can cause further injury.

warm the body by wrapping it in blankets and protecting the frostbitten parts.

replace wet clothing with soft, dry clothing to stop further heat loss.

gently remove gloves, boots, rings and any other items of clothing or jewellery around the affected area.

move to a warmer place (if possible) – it's best to avoid walking on frostbitten feet and toes as it can cause further damage, but in emergency situations this may not always be possible.

If medical assistance isn't available, the following steps can be taken to treat frostbite and hypothermia:

If you're unable to move, call 999 to ask for an ambulance. If the symptoms are severe, go immediately to your nearest A&E. If the symptoms of frostbite are minor, call your GP or NHS 111 for advice.

Always get medical attention if you think you or someone else has frostbite. Treatment for frostbite depends on the severity of your symptoms.