Walking Carefully: The First Signs of Frostbite That Often Go Unnoticed

Long walks in winter can lead to serious health consequences. Since childhood, we have been told to dress warmly, covering our nose, ears, and hands, but even the most careful among us sometimes underestimate the risk of frostbite. It turns out that signs of skin damage due to frost can appear unnoticed, and symptoms may only manifest several hours after returning home. Doctor Ekaterina Makarova explains in detail what to pay attention to and how to act correctly to avoid complications.

How to Understand That Frostbite Has Begun

According to the expert, frostbite most often affects body parts with the least blood supply — these are the ears, nose, cheeks, and fingers of the hands or feet. Even areas of the body protected from wind and cold can be affected.

If you notice pale skin on the tip of your nose, earlobe, or cheek, this indicates an early stage of frostbite. At this moment, it is not advisable to actively rub these areas — frostbitten skin is particularly vulnerable and can be easily injured. It is better to gently stimulate blood circulation with soft friction using woolen items or a warm scarf.

What Definitely Should Not Be Done

Many people, upon returning to warmth, strive to warm the affected areas as quickly as possible — pressing them against a radiator, a hot cup, or other sources of high temperature. This should not be done: due to the cold, the skin is already damaged, and intense heat can lead to burns.

The correct algorithm is as follows: immediately after arriving home, you should remove frozen clothing so that the body does not expend energy heating the air between layers of clothing. Next, it is advisable to create conditions for gentle warming — for example, take a warm (not hot!) bath or place cold areas near sources of moderate heat, such as a heating pad, a cup of warm drink, or a foot bath.

Alcohol Does Not Help to Warm Up in the Cold

An integrative physician warns: consuming alcohol in the cold to "warm up" is a bad idea. However, if you are already in a warm room and your skin is chilled, a small portion (no more than 50 g) of an alcoholic beverage can help dilate blood vessels and restore blood circulation. It is important not to overdo it.

When the Situation is Serious

If a person has been in the cold for an extended period and has lost consciousness, fallen, or been exposed to the wind for a long time, the risk is not limited to a small area of skin. In such situations, deep or extensive frostbite may develop, affecting a significant area of the body. In such cases, it will be extremely difficult to restore normal condition on your own — immediate medical assistance is required.

Simple Preventive Measures

To protect yourself from the cold during the winter season, consider the following recommendations from the specialist:

Cover protruding body parts — ears, nose, fingers of hands and feet.
Wear a warm hat (preferably with ear protection), a scarf, or a balaclava, especially in windy weather.
Wear warm shoes with quality insoles or socks made of natural materials.
Mittens are preferable to gloves — they retain heat better.