From the Triage Desk

That magical, snowy season is right around the corner… which means so are the winter activities we know and love!  Sledding, ice skating, skiing, snowman building, etc. are all amazing ways to get outside and have some fun, but they are all more enjoyable when you are well-protected against the elements.

Children should wear snowpants, coats, hats, mittens, warm socks, and boots when outdoors.  When temperatures dip below freezing, it is also a good idea to have them take occasional warm-up breaks and check that faces and extremities are not suffering.  Avoiding frostbite is the goal!

The earliest stage of frostbite is called frostnip and occurs when the skin begins to turn red and feels cold, tingly, or painful. There is no lasting damage with frostnip.  You can treat frostnip by gently removing the wet/cold clothing, bathing or submerging the area in warm (not hot) water, and placing blankets over the affected area.

 If frostnip goes untreated and skin remains wet, cold, or exposed, it can lead to frostbite. Frostbite is characterized by numbness, skin discoloration, hard or waxy looking skin, clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness, and blisters with rewarming. In severe cases of deep frostbite, you can lose sensation completely and the affected tissue can turn black and die. With any symptoms more severe than mild frostnip, seek medical attention.

If your child’s skin is well-protected and unaffected, but you notice intense shivering, slurred speech, or drowsiness/loss of coordination, they may be suffering from hypothermia (having a lower body temperature than what is deemed normal). Seek medical attention immediately if that is the case.  Keep your child warm with blankets until medical help is available.

If you are ever unsure about your child’s condition after time out in the cold, give us a call!  Stay safe, stay warm, and have fun!

Resources:

Frostbite – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Frostbite: Signs & Symptoms, Stages, Treatment & Prevention (clevelandclinic.org)

Dangerous sub-zero wind chills to continue, how to spot signs of frostbite – mlive.com