Frostbite and hypothermia - how to act?!

There is an opinion that hypothermia can occur only in winter, in severe frosts, but this is not so. You can become a victim of hypothermia even at +10 °C if you walk for a long time in wet clothes.

Most often, hypothermia of the body is caused by the following reasons:

• Low air temperature;
• Light clothes, no hat and gloves;
• Powerful winds;
• Improper shoes (too tight, on very thin or rubber soles);
• High humidity;
• Wet clothes that are in contact with the body for a long time;
• Swimming in cold water.

The risk of hypothermia increases significantly when intoxicated, because the blood vessels expand and the blood coming from the heart cools quickly.

Signs of hypothermia:

• Trembling;
• Decrease in temperature;
• Cyanosis;
• Changing the color of the lips to white;
• Inhibition;
• Apathy.
       

What shall I do?

• Drink warm sweet tea;
• Go to a warm room;
• Put on dry warm clothes;
• Consult a doctor.

Signs of frostbite:

• Loss of sensitivity of the affected areas;
• Tingling or pinching sensation;
• Absence of a pulse on the wrist and ankles;
• When tapped with a finger, the so-called wooden sound.
   

What shall I do?

• Apply an aseptic bandage to the injured part of the body;
• Move your limbs  to restore blood circulation;
• Give warm liquid to drink;
• Give an antispasmodic (drotaverin, noshpa);
• Consult a doctor.

What can't be done

• Rubbing frostbitten areas with snow because it contributes to the introduction of infection;
• Quickly warm frostbitten limbs (near fire, hot water, apply heating pads) - promotes thrombus formation and deepening of the lesion;
• Lubricate with vaseline, fatty creams, ointments.
   
   
  Author: surgeon Saian Halyna.