First aid for frostbite. Methods of providing effective first aid for frostbite. The main causes of frostbite

Most people know perfectly well that elevated temperatures adversely affect skin covering... But few people are familiar with the fear of the cold.

After all, this winter fun, skiing and snowboarding - so what if my hands are frozen. In fact, frostbite is a difficult process, as dangerous as burns.

This lesion of the dermis often requires emergency hospitalization and can easily be fatal.

Therefore, even before the arrival of an ambulance, it is important that first aid be provided for frostbite - a set of measures aimed at restoring blood flow and preventing the development of complications.

This term means damage to the dermis and tissues that appear under the influence of low temperatures.

V medical practice usually the word frostbite is used. Usually, this process affects the protruding elements of the body. For example, ears, nose, fingers and toes.

In this case, the pathological effect of cold gradually spreads from the extremities to more protected structures, which is fraught with serious consequences up to death.

Therefore, first aid for frostbite should be urgent and correct. After all, inept actions can only aggravate the patient's condition.

It should be borne in mind that frostbite can also occur at positive temperatures, provided that the air humidity is increased and a strong wind is blowing.

This promotes the penetration of cold through the dermis and the destruction of soft tissues. These processes can be accompanied by necrosis and the development of septic shock.

Doctors have developed a fairly extensive classification of frostbites, because the first step in providing assistance is to identify the degree of damage.

Depending on the type of influence low temperatures, medical classification identifies the following types of process:

Acute defeat. This local lesion.
Freezing process. Defeat embraces internal organs(we are talking about a strong general hypothermia, up to freezing) or leads to necrosis of soft tissues.
Chronic exposure to cold. Freezing often leads to the development of such ailments as neurovasculitis or chills.

Depending on the complexity of the lesion, 4 degrees are distinguished total defeat:

Lightweight.
The skin has a pale, bluish tint. The patient feels chills, speech is difficult. Heartbeat is slowed down (60 - 66 beats / minute). Blood pressure is within normal limits or slightly increased, respiratory function not broken. Also, on the patient's body, you can find areas with mild frostbite.
Average.
A decrease in temperature to 29 - 32 ° C is observed. The patient wants to sleep, the consciousness is confused, the look is lifeless. The dermis is cold, its shade is cyanotic, marble. Heartbeat slowed down even more (50 - 60 beats / minute), blood pressure was slightly lowered. Respiration disorders appear: it is slow (8 - 12 breaths per 1 minute) and superficial. You can notice signs of frostbite of the dermis of various degrees. This occurs with severe hypothermia, which can be fatal.
Heavy.
The patient does not regain consciousness, which is accompanied by convulsions, vomiting. The dermis has a bluish tint and is extremely cold, up to icing. The temperature does not exceed 31 ° C, and the contractions of the heart muscle decreased to 36 beats in 60 seconds. Arterial pressure sharply reduced, breathing is weak and practically absent (no more than 3 - 4 breaths / minute). The patient is covered in areas with severe frostbite and icing.
Immersion.
This is a special frostbite that affects the feet. The standard medical classification does not contain it. It occurs when the temperature indicators of air masses exceed 0 ° C. Optimal conditions high humidity and prolonged dampness are essential for its development. Symptoms range from redness and numbness to red blisters and gangrene.

Depending on the causes of the appearance of pathology, 2 more types are distinguished:

contact;
obtained during hypothermia from exposure to cold air.

Depending on the depth of the lesion, there are 4 more degrees of frostbite:

Hypothermia is a dangerous companion of frostbite. This leads to the development of a number of internal processes that are often irreversible.

In case of frostbite and hypothermia, it is important to get to the hospital or get first aid as soon as possible. After all, the lack of correct action can lead to gangrene, sepsis and even the death of the patient.

First aid to victims of exposure to cold

The most important step The thing you should do when you find someone with frostbite is to call an ambulance.

Indeed, before warming up, it is difficult to assess the degree of cold damage. If the arrival of doctors will not be soon, it is worth determining the degree of frostbite and starting to provide assistance.

The range of measures that will help the patient is directly related to the severity of the lesion. After all, the provision of first aid for frostbite of the 1st degree differs significantly from similar actions in case of defeat of 3 - 4 levels.

However, upon finding the victim, the following actions should be taken:

Move it to the nearest warm room, avoiding continued exposure to cold.
Remove frozen wardrobe items (shoes, gloves, socks).
Warm the affected area. If this is a first-degree lesion (there are no blisters, no edema appears or is mild), then rewarming consists in rubbing with warm hands, massage and rubbing with woolen fabrics. This will restore blood circulation and warm the limb. With injuries of the dermis of 2 - 4 degrees, these actions are inappropriate, therefore, in this case, you should skip this step.
Apply a heat-insulating bandage to the affected area. It can be gauze, cotton wool, etc., covered with oilcloth or dense fabric, preferably rubberized.
In case of frostbite of II-IV degree, the affected areas should also be isolated by applying a splint made of cardboard, boards - any hard materials at hand. They are literally bandaged to the affected area, filling the voids with any heat-insulating materials: cotton wool, gauze, wool, etc.
General warming of the body. It is important to give the victims warm tea, broth or hot food.
You should also give Analgin (1 t.), Aspirin (1 t.), No-Shpu (2 t.) And Papaverin (2 t.).

In the event of injuries such as frostbite, never rub the injured person with snow or use a fire, heating pads or similar devices to warm them up.

Also, in no case rub oil, fat, alcohol or cream into the affected area, this will aggravate the lesion.

Knowing these simple rules, you can easily recognize frostbite and can determine its approximate degree.

The main thing to remember is that upon finding the victim, urgently call ambulance... After all, qualified doctors can save his life!

There is a danger of frostbite during the cold season. This is damage to areas of the skin, body, limbs from exposure to low temperatures. It is of two types:

damage to tissues and blood vessels, as a result of slowing down blood circulation in the damaged part of the body (at –10, –20 degrees below zero);
damage to a part of the body up to its complete necrosis (at temperatures from -20 and above).

Correctly provided first aid for frostbite can protect from disability and save a person's life.

Signs of frostbite

In total, four degrees of frostbite are distinguished. Each of them has its own symptoms:

First degree. Itching, burning, redness appears in the damaged area. Blue discoloration and the appearance of edema are possible.
Dying off is characteristic of the second degree upper layers skin. Blisters appear that contain clear liquid... As a result, the skin is restored, scars are formed only with untimely assistance.
In the third degree, the skin and subcutaneous tissue are rejected. Blisters are formed that contain exudate. After treatment, tissue healing occurs, and scars remain.
The fourth degree is the most severe. Necrosis occurs not only of the skin, but also of bones, cartilage, and joints. Over the next 2 - 3 months, the frostbitten tissues detach from the living ones. A granulation shaft is formed along the line of their contact, which contributes to the rejection of dead areas.

Severe frostbite leads to amputation of limbs, loss of auricles, gangrene. They are accompanied by diseases caused by a long stay of the body in a hypothermic state: pneumonia, tonsillitis, infections may develop.

First aid for frostbite

Light warming massage for frostbite.

First you need to assess the degree of tissue damage. If the victim has not spent a lot of time in the cold and there is only numbness, swelling and redness or blue discoloration of the skin, you need to do the following:

move the victim to a warm place;
warm the damaged area with your breath or body heat;
make a light warming massage;
you can lower the injured limb into water, no more than 20 ° C, and gradually topping up warm water bring it to 40 ° C;
wrap the cold-affected area with a woolen scarf or simply soft cloth;
put the victim to bed;
drink tea with lemon;
from medicines you must definitely take a tablet of Aspirin and No-shpy.

After all these actions, tingling and slight pain should be felt in the frostbitten area, as signs that blood circulation is returning to normal. Of the consequences in this case, one should expect only slight peeling of the skin, which will pass without a trace. On your own, you can incorrectly determine the degree of tissue damage, so you still need to call a doctor at home.

In a situation where a person spent long time in the cold and signs of the second, third or even fourth degree are visible, the provision of first aid is as follows:

If possible, transfer the victim to a warm room.
Cover the damaged area with a heat-insulating bandage. You can take cotton-gauze or do it yourself. It should consist of 7 layers, each next larger than the previous one in area.
Cover the heat-insulating bandage with oilcloth.
Wrap a warm woolen scarf or cloth around the affected limb.
Call an ambulance or deliver it to medical institution.

It is necessary to ensure that the frostbitten limb does not overcool again, so wrap it up with a blanket or improvised means (for example, a jacket, a sweater).

What should not be done in case of frostbite?

Do not rub the damaged area of the skin with snow.

Some actions can worsen the patient's condition. When providing first aid, one should be guided by the principle: "Do no harm!" Forbidden:

Rub the affected area vigorously. This can cause mechanical damage tissues and blood vessels.
Rub the skin with snow, alcohol, fat. This will lead to infection and injury.
Trying to warm up the limbs in hot water, by the fireplace or stove. Thus, a thermal burn will be added to frostbite.
Do not take off your shoes on the street with a frostbitten foot! You will not be able to put on the boot or boots later because of the edema and you will get repeated hypothermia of the limb!
Offer the victim to warm up with tonic and alcoholic beverages.

Rubbing or massaging damaged areas in the cold is dangerous. Try to transport the victim to a medical facility as carefully as possible. Of the warming drinks, you can only offer sweet tea or herbal decoction... The victim is also prohibited from smoking, since nicotine constricts the blood vessels and decreases the blood supply to the extremities.

Preventive measures

Frostbite of body parts and tissues occurs due to hypothermia of the body. This does not require a temperature below freezing outdoors or indoors. From +4 to +8 at high humidity, significant hypothermia of the body is also possible. The following situations lead to frostbite:

Long stay outside or in an unheated room during the cold season.
Use a moisturizer before going outside.
Clothes and footwear are out of season.
Long stay on fresh air capable of drunkenness in the cold season.
Wet, tight shoes, combined with an air temperature of 0 and below, leads to frostbite of the feet, which is called "trench foot".
Touching very cold metal objects causes instant skin damage, similar to a burn.

First of all, open areas of the body and limbs are affected: hands, feet, fingers, nose, ears. The following precautions can help prevent frostbite:

make sure that the room temperature is +18 degrees and above;
do not stay outside for a long time on frosty days;
in autumn, winter and until mid-spring, be sure to wear a hat, scarf, gloves, warm outerwear, boots or boots;
wear thermal underwear;
buy high-quality winter shoes half a size larger, the foot should feel free;
in a state of alcoholic intoxication, call a taxi, do not walk home;
do not drink alcohol on the street during the cold season;
in a blizzard snow storm, severe frost do not leave the house;
in winter, use a protective oily cream for the skin of the face and hands, and preferably goose fat or interior lard;
do not use moisturizers before going outside.

If you feel that you are freezing, wiggle your fingers and toes, and move around to speed up your circulation and keep you warm. After coming home from freezing cold, drink hot lemon tea or herbal tea. In winter and autumn, give preference to hot high-calorie foods, so the body can more easily cope with hypothermia.

Frostbite can cause atrophy of nerve endings, lead to partial or complete amputation of limbs, and even death. Remember! Timely first aid for frostbite and careful transportation of the victim to the hospital will help to avoid severe consequences!

Long-term influence of low temperatures on human body often ends in frostbite. This mainly occurs when frost is below -10 ° C, but high humidity together with strong winds can cause damage to the skin with more high temperature air. Violations occurring in the structure of the skin depend on the length of stay in the cold and the literacy with which first aid was provided for frostbite. Anyone whose clothes do not correspond to the weather conditions can be injured during prolonged stay on the street.

Frostbite causes

According to statistics, most of of people who received frostbite, was in a state of alcoholic intoxication. Other factors that can lead to such consequences include:

malaise, physical fatigue and hunger;
chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system;
wet clothes, excessive sweating body;
injuries resulting in severe blood loss;
prolonged stay in one position without movement.

Freezing leads to cramping small vessels, after which blood circulation slows down, the work of tissue enzymes stops, and cell death occurs.

Stages

To provide first aid, it is important to correctly determine the degree of tissue damage. Frostbite is divided into several stages.

It is impossible to accurately state the degree of injury at the initial stage. It is possible to determine the severity in a few days, after the first signs of the resulting frostbite appear and the tissues begin to be rejected.

First of all, it is necessary to carry out a set of necessary emergency warming measures and then be sure to deliver the victim to a surgeon or traumatologist.

Providing emergency care

Providing the victim emergency care, you need to remember that you cannot try to warm a person hot water... This measure will lead to the fact that the narrowed vessels will not be able to quickly expand, and heated tissues will require an increased volume of oxygen and will not receive it.
The required algorithm of actions is as follows:

take the victim out of frost into a warm room;
it is recommended to drink warm tea, coffee to warm the body;
take one of the medicines: Papaverine, No-Shpa, Aspirin;
with mild frostbite of the hands, ears, nose or cheeks, they must be rubbed with a hand or a soft cloth until tingling and redness begins, snow cannot be used;
in case of severe frostbite on the affected part of the body, a gauze bandage with a thick layer of cotton wool inside is required, which is wrapped on top with a woolen scarf; in case of severe damage to the limbs, they must be fixed using improvised means, a bandage with a heat-insulating layer is applied on top; in case of severe pain, the victim should be given pain relievers facilities;
if necessary, change from wet clothes to dry ones.

The provision of first aid depends not only on the stage of frostbite, but also on the degree of cooling of the body.

Lightweight. Body temperature is not lower than 32 ° С. The integument of the skin is pale, cyanotic, the syndrome of "goose bumps" is observed. Heart rate 60-66 beats / min. BP is normal or slightly increased. Breathing is not difficult. Chills and difficulty speaking.
Average. Temperature from 29 to 32 ° C. The skin is pale bluish with a marble mesh, cold. Heartbeat 50-60 beats / min. Blood pressure is greatly reduced. Breathing is shallow, on average 10 breaths per minute. There is a depressed state, drowsiness, a distracted look.
Heavy. The temperature drops below 29 ° C. The skin is cold, bluish. Pulse no more than 36 beats / min., Poorly felt. Blood pressure is greatly reduced. Breathing up to 5 times per minute, shallow. The victim is often unconscious, convulsions, vomiting are possible.

At slight frostbite the doctor may recommend warming up in a warm bath with a gradual increase in water temperature from 24 to 36-37 ° C. In other cases, a person affected by cooling must be urgently taken to a hospital.

Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine has in its arsenal a large number of funds that are allowed to be used for frostbite.

Prevention of complications

The main goal of first aid after frostbite is to restore heat exchange and blood circulation in the affected part of the body. These activities reduce the likelihood of developing undesirable consequences.

Rubbing goose fat, badger or bear lard are effective only when weak degree frostbite and are not recommended for rubbing into blisters.

Massage and rubbing, use methods of rapid warming, drinking alcoholic beverages with frostbite is prohibited, as it is possible to harm damaged tissues.

Frostbite (frostbite) is tissue damage that occurs at low temperatures (usually below -10 ° C). Can be observed even at zero temperature environment- in cases where there are large heat losses per unit of time.

Source: depositphotos.com

First of all, protruding and insufficiently protected parts of the body are exposed to aggressive effects: auricles, nose, cheeks, hands, feet. Subsequently, general hypothermia of the body develops with a decrease in body temperature to critical numbers.

Risk factors that reduce the effectiveness of thermoregulation and contribute to the development of frostbite:

increased heat transfer (harsh wind, high humidity, light clothing);
local disturbance of microcirculation (tight shoes, prolonged immobility, forced position of the body);
concomitant conditions that weaken the body's resistance to extreme influences (trauma, blood loss, physical or emotional exhaustion, stress);
vascular diseases.

The greatest risk of frostbite, according to statistics, are persons in a state of alcoholic intoxication (severe or medium gravity). This is due to partial or complete disorientation, a slowdown in response to stimuli, and a specific vegetative background.

Depending on the duration and intensity of the aggressive effect, as well as on the nature of tissue damage, 4 degrees of frostbite are distinguished.

The initial manifestations in all cases are similar (which does not allow to reliably determine the degree of frostbite in the first hours after injury):

pallor and coldness of the skin;
decreased sensitivity.

After the first common symptoms symptoms specific to each degree of frostbite develop:

It is characterized by mild soreness of the skin, after warming, intense redness and slight swelling are noted, peeling of the affected areas is possible without the development of necrosis. In 5-7 days skin manifestations disappear completely.
Blisters appear on damaged skin areas within 24-48 hours different sizes filled with transparent (serous) contents. Painful sensations intense, characterized by itching, burning of injured skin. With proper treatment, the skin condition is restored after 7-14 days, cicatricial deformities at the site of the lesion are absent.
Necrosis of the damaged skin occurs, which leads to loss of sensitivity and the formation of massive painful blisters with a purple-cyanotic base, filled with bloody contents. Subsequently, the blisters are necrotic and rejected with the formation of scars and granulations. Scarring can last up to a month; rejection of the nail plates also occurs, sometimes irreversible.
It is manifested by total necrosis not only of the skin, but also of the underlying soft tissues (up to the bones and joints). The injured areas of the skin are cyanotic, after warming, a sharply increasing edema is formed, there are no bubbles, the sensitivity of the skin does not recover after warming, and gangrene subsequently develops. The affected areas are subject to amputation.

With prolonged exposure to low temperatures, general hypothermia is possible, as evidenced by a decrease in body temperature to 34 ºС and below (up to 29-30 ºС in severe cases). Depending on the severity, the condition is manifested by inhibition of the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems of varying intensity, up to coma and death.

First aid for frostbite

In case of damage of any intensity, first of all, it is necessary to as soon as possible take the victim to a warm room. If there is a possibility of repeated frostbite, the damaged part of the body must not be allowed to thaw; otherwise, cover it carefully. Further measures depend on the degree of frostbite.

With frostbite of I degree, it is required:

warm the affected skin (breathing, rubbing gently with a soft woolen cloth or hands);
apply a warming cotton-gauze bandage in several layers.

With frostbite II-IV degree you need:

exclude rapid warming (massage, rubbing);
apply a heat-insulating bandage (bandage and cotton wool in several layers, you can use scarves, woolen fabric, scarves);
fix the frostbitten limb;
call an ambulance medical care.

What should not be done in case of frostbite?

rub the frostbitten surface with snow, a hard cloth (there is a high probability of injury and subsequent infection of damaged skin);
subject the frostbite to intense heat (using hot tub, heating pad, heater, etc.);
rub the damaged skin with oil, fat, alcohol, as this can complicate the course of the disease;
to open bubbles independently and remove necrotic tissue.

When should you see a doctor?

At home, only degree I frostbite can be treated; in all other cases, it is necessary to seek specialized help.

In case of frostbite of the II degree, the opening of the blisters and their processing are carried out under conditions surgery room... To prevent the addition of infection, an aseptic bandage is applied and appropriate therapy is prescribed.

With frostbite of III-IV degree in a hospital, necrotic tissue is removed, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy is performed.

With the onset of winter, the number of calls to medical institutions, in which a significant proportion are damage from cold: freezing (general cooling) and frostbite of certain parts of the body. Cold injuries are often very serious, disabling and sometimes even fatal. The development of severe consequences largely depends on the quality of care for frostbite.

Shulepin Ivan Vladimirovich, traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category

The total work experience is over 25 years. In 1994 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, in 1997 he completed his residency in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after V.I. N.N. Prifova.

Frostbite should be understood as the death of cells of living tissues due to a prolonged decrease in temperature, at which metabolism is impossible. When exposed to cold, the following occurs:

First, the blood vessels in the cooled area dilate, for example, reddening of the cheeks in the cold. This - defense mechanism aimed at warming by increasing blood flow.
Continued cooling leads to a decrease in total temperature body, which is very dangerous.
In response to a decrease in temperature, a protective reaction is activated again, but already aimed at solving a more serious problem - saving body temperature. Blood vessels in the affected area, they narrow, the supply of heat stops.
In the frostbitten area, they stop life processes, tissue death occurs - necrosis.

However, the body cannot cope with long-term exposure on its own, its reserves are limited. If you interrupt this chain of events at the very beginning by providing help, then you can avoid serious consequences.

Factors contributing to the development of frostbite

Why can some people stay in the cold for a long time without consequences, while others can easily freeze their cheeks, nose, fingers? The degree of tissue damage during frostbite depends on the age and condition of the body.

Children, elderly people and people with various diseases are most susceptible to cold.

In children, the reason is too thin the skin, the lack of protective grease on it, and also not enough developed system thermoregulation. In elderly people, against the background of atherosclerosis, blood circulation is impaired, metabolic processes are slowed down, physical activity... People suffering from cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic and inflammatory diseases, can easily frostbite the face or limbs due to a decrease in metabolic processes in the tissues.

A special group includes people intoxicated, it is they who make up the majority of those affected by frost. Alcohol is a vascular poison that causes generalized violation blood circulation. In addition, it inhibits brain processes, reduces general sensitivity, sensations, and a drunk person cannot detect frostbite in time.

Contributing factors also are lack of nutrition, vitamin deficiency, smoking, inappropriate weather or tight clothing, shoes, too long exposure to cold, high humidity and wind.

Symptoms and Signs

You can freeze both open areas of the body (cheeks, nose, lips, ears) and closed (legs, arms). Symptoms develop gradually, parallel to the depth of tissue damage. The first signs are redness and stabbing pain in the skin, as if it were chapped. If the body does not warm up, the skin acquires bluish tint, white spots appear, which indicate vasospasm and deeper damage.

Further developing loss of sensitivity, feeling numb and tissue edema. Detachment of the epidermis occurs in the form of blisters with a dark brownish liquid. With longer exposure, darkening areas due to tissue necrosis. This condition is dangerous, intoxication of the body develops, the body temperature rises.

Signs of frostbite of the extremities at the very beginning differ little from the manifestation in other parts of the body, but pathological process develops faster. The reason for this is the peculiarity of blood circulation, a smaller number of branched vessels. Therefore, after the appearance of bubbles, areas of darkening are quickly formed, gangrene develops: fingers, and often part of the foot or hand, can turn black and become insensitive.

Frostbite degrees

The classification of frostbite depends on the depth of tissue damage, there are 4 degrees of it:

1st - the easiest, when the surface layers of the skin are affected, and the changes are reversible, manifests itself in paleness, and then redness of the skin, a burning sensation and numbness, there may be a slight swelling of the tissues, all phenomena disappear within a week;
2nd - damage to the deeper layers of the skin, characterized by the appearance of painful blisters with transparent sacral contents, healing lasts up to 2 weeks and passes without a trace;
3rd - the entire thickness of the skin is destroyed, the bubbles take on a dark color, areas of necrosis are formed under them, the pain intensifies, complete healing occurs within a month, skin scars remain;
4th - the skin is damaged, subcutaneous tissue and deep-lying tissues, the area becomes blue, very painful, and after warming up in the room, it remains cold, occurs severe swelling, pain, gangrene develops on the arms and legs.

How to help and treat frostbite?

First aid for frostbite is necessary, regardless of its stage. The first thing to do is to quickly exclude the effect of the cold, to deliver the victim to a warm room. Further the algorithm of actions is as follows:

take off frozen clothes, shoes, dress warmly and cover the patient;
drink a hot drink (tea, coffee, milk, fruit drink), feed, an adult can be given a small amount of alcohol;
give pain medication if necessary;
measure body temperature;
call an ambulance;
do light massage the affected areas if they are free of blisters and dark spots, severe edema;
apply a dry sterile bandage to the damaged skin.

You need to warm up gradually due to ambient temperature rooms and warm soft clothing.

It is forbidden to apply a heating pad, hot compresses.

Signs of "withdrawal" are the appearance of pain and burning sensation in numb areas of the skin, the appearance of a pink color.

A child with frostbite almost always has general hypothermia, so he needs to be undressed and placed in a warm bath for half an hour, maintaining the water temperature at 37-37.5 °, and given a warm drink (milk, herbal tea).

If the baby complains of burning skin, cries, you can anesthetize with one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( indomethacin, ibuprofen, paracetamol) in the dose recommended for age. In any case, the child needs a doctor's consultation.

Further treatment will be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the degree and nature of frostbite. The tasks of first aid are to restore blood circulation, normalize metabolic processes, and remove intoxication. Urgent measures may also be needed if the patient's condition is disturbed. Vascular drugs, intravenous infusion of solutions, oxygen therapy are used.

In the stage of redness and swelling, nourishing restorative ointments or creams containing panthenol, vitamins. If there are bubbles, they are opened by a surgeon in the department. Areas of necrosis are removed, and after its complete rejection, they are applied wound healing ointments(levomekol, methyluracil, solcoseryl). If suppuration occurs, antibiotics are prescribed, the wounds are treated with hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic solutions, and antimicrobial ointments are used.

Cure severe degree frostbite is possible only in a hospital setting.

Precautionary measures

Improper provision of first aid can aggravate the victim's condition. It is necessary to take precautions and learn well what cannot be done in these cases:

disrupt the sequence of actions;
rubbing frostbitten places on the street, while using snow;
roughly rub the frostbitten areas;
smear the skin with fatty creams;
do the treatment with alcohol-containing liquids.

Conclusion

In the cold season, preventive measures must be followed to protect against exposure to low temperatures. And if frostbite could not be avoided, the correct provision of first aid will help prevent the development of severe consequences.

How to avoid frostbite and what to do if it did happen