What is frostbite?
Injury which results from the freezing of the tissues in the body is called frostbite. Commonly affected parts are the hands and feet followed by the nose, ears and shins.
This condition occurs when the skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.
Commonly found in?
People living in tropical climates are at more risk.
Age/sex?
Higher incidences are in males. The commonly affected age group is 30-50 years.
What are the causes of frostbite?
Exposure of body parts to cold environments for prolonged periods is the major reason for the occurrence of frostbite.
Frostbite occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze but can also be caused by direct contact with ice, frozen metal or very cold liquids.
The following are the risk factors:
-Taking medicines called beta-blockers.
-diabetes
-Smoking.
-Having Raynaud’s Disease.
What are the signs of frostbite?
-Pricking sensation and numbness in the affected part.
-Aching or throbbing of the affected area.
-Affected skin feels unusually firm or waxy.
-Hard, pale, and cold skin of the affected part.
-Blister formation.
What are the long-term effects of frostbite?
Some people may left with permanent problems after frostbite, such as increased sensitivity to cold, numbness, stiffness and the pain of the affected area. Therefore, no permanent treatment is there to treat the sensitivity.
Why does Frostbite lead to amputation?
Severe frostbite can result in permanent nerve damage which results in gangrene (it is a dead tissue that often turns black or green), therefore amputation is the only solution to prevent the gangrene from spreading.
What are the investigations for frostbite?
-General examination
-complete case history
What is the treatment for frostbite?
-Narcotic pain killers.
-IV fluids in the case of dehydration.
-Tetanus booster is given if required.
-Ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.
What diet and management to be followed for frostbite?
-As soon as possible get into a warm room.
-Avoid walking on affected feet or toes.
-Do not massage the affected area.
-Don’t use heating pads or a radiator for warming of the affected areas because numbness of the affected areas are more likely to get burnt.
-Immerse the affected area in warm water.
-If warm water is not available, try to warm the affected area using body heat.
What are the complications of frostbite?
-Permanent numbness of the affected area.
-Frostbite arthritis because of the change in the cartilage between the joints.
-Infection.
-Gangrene.
Homeopathic treatment for frostbite
-Agaricus muscarius
-Carbo animalis
-Hepar sulphur
-Lachesis mutus
-Nitricum acidum
