Frostbite can appear even in a slight frost or at positive temperatures. This condition requires immediate treatment and hospitalization. Before the ambulance arrives, a number of procedures must be performed. How to provide first aid for frostbite, what are the features of the treatment of this injury - all this will be discussed later.
Status Description
First aid for burns and frostbite reduces the likelihood of negative consequences. While the ambulance is on the way, the victim needs to create the appropriate conditions under which the restoration of blood supply to damaged tissues will occur correctly. Otherwise, the consequences of incorrect actions in the first minutes after the appearance of characteristic signs can be deplorable.
During frostbite, soft tissues are damaged due to exposure to cold. Most often, such an injury occurs on the lower extremities. However, you can freeze hands, face, ears. With especially severe types of frostbite, the tissue dies. When the temperature outside the window drops below -10 ºС, you can get frostbite. In someIn cases where the wind is strong and the humidity is high, frostbite occurs at higher temperatures, for example, -3 ºС. If a person has low resistance to cold, frostbite can occur already at +2 ºС.
You shouldn't joke with the weather. You need to dress warmly. Especially if you have to be outside for a long time. Periodically it is recommended to go into warm rooms. However, some people do not even notice that they have received frostbite. They are very cold, but continue to be on the street. In some cases, the job requires it. Often young children do not notice that their limbs are frozen. Parents should keep an eye on whether the baby is warmly dressed, whether he is outside for a long time.
Statistics states that first aid for frostbite of hands or feet in the vast majority of cases is necessary for people who are intoxicated. Overwork, a general decrease in immunity, malnutrition also lead to an increase in the likelihood of injury. Frostbite is especially common in people with pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Symptoms
Proper first aid for burns and frostbite can sometimes save a person not only injured limbs, but also life. These are very dangerous conditions. In some cases, it will not be possible to restore the blood supply to the tissues. This is due to prolonged exposure to temperature, as well as the extent of damage.
Every person should know the signs of frostbite in order to identify a similar situation in themselves orthe people who are nearby. Frostbite can have 4 degrees. They differ in severity, consequences and methods of treatment.
With mild frostbite, a person's body temperature drops to 31-33 ºС. He feels chills. The skin becomes pale, sometimes even acquires a blue tint. Goosebumps may appear. Also, the pulse drops to 55-60 beats per minute. However, this is the mildest form of frostbite. If a person has been in the cold longer, these symptoms are more pronounced.
Body temperature may drop even further. Drowsiness sets in, the state becomes inhibited. A person does not understand what is happening around him. The skin becomes very white. She is cold. In more severe stages of frostbite, breathing slows down. The pulse drops even more. In some cases, it was found that the pulse is only 36 beats per minute. This is a critical value. If the necessary actions are not taken in time, death may occur. Therefore, what are the first signs and first aid for frostbite, everyone should know. This saves a person's life.
Degrees of defeat
First aid to a victim of frostbite should be provided immediately and correctly. Cold affects the tissues, first causing a spasm of the blood vessels. As a result, they are compressed so much that the blood flow is simply blocked. The tissues are not getting the nutrition they need. The more severe the degree of frostbite, the more serious and irreversible such processes are.
First degree frostbite is the easiest. Damagedtissue areas do not die, their blood supply does not stop. However, the skin becomes pale, sometimes acquires a red tint. There is a tingling sensation here. The affected tissues become numb. After providing the correct first aid, the damaged areas hurt, itching may appear. This is fine. Blood rushes intensely to the damaged areas. Full recovery lasts no more than a week.
The second degree of frostbite is similar in description to the previous state. However, the consequences in this case will be more serious. The person in this case is on the street for a long time. Blisters appear on the skin. Moreover, they may not occur immediately, after one or even two days. Inside them, a clear liquid accumulates. Pain in this case is stronger. Full recovery takes about 2 weeks.
The third degree of frostbite is one of the most severe. In this case, the exposure to cold was prolonged. The consequences in this case can be irreversible. After a person is taken to the hospital, blisters appear on his hands. Only the liquid in them will no longer be transparent, but bloody. Damaged tissue areas die off. If damage is observed on the limbs, the nails come off the fingers. The skin is completely torn off. The treatment lasts about a month. During this time, tissue covers are restored. However, they look like scars. Nails can grow back, but they are deformed. Sometimes nails don't grow back at all.
First aid for frostbite can significantly reduce negativeeffects. Therefore, you need to take this very responsibly. The most severe is the fourth degree of frostbite. Processes in tissues in this case are irreversible. They completely die off. However, tissue necrosis is not the worst thing in this situation. Through such damage, an infection easily enters the body. The lesion affects the bones and joints. Gangrene may set in. The limb will need to be amputated as soon as possible. Otherwise, blood poisoning and death are possible.
Main reasons
Signs and first aid for frostbite children learn in schools. To prevent the occurrence of such injuries, you need to know the main factors that provoke such a condition.
One of the main factors is weather conditions. Cold temperatures are not the only cause of frostbite. The higher the humidity, the faster irreversible processes develop in the tissues. Therefore, you need to cover open areas of the body with warm clothes. If the wind blows them, you can get frostbite faster.
You also need to estimate the number and type of clothing a person wears. If it is not enough, hypothermia may occur, as well as frostbite. In this case, the person may lose consciousness after a while. This may end in death. Clothing must not be synthetic. This is poor protection from the cold. The skin under synthetic fabrics does not breathe, it becomes covered with sweat. This contributes to the rapid loss of body heat.
You also need to choose the right shoes for the winter. Fashion trends are not alwaystake into account the peculiarities of the climate in each area. Often the cause of frostbite is narrow shoes. It is better to buy winter boots one size larger. The sole should be thick. If it is less than 1 cm, and there is no appropriate insulation inside, such shoes will not protect against the cold. First aid for frostbite is more often required for those people who wear tight, tight clothing. If there is a small air space between it and the body, it serves as additional insulation.
Other reasons
First aid for burns and frostbite may be required at any time. Frequent reasons for the appearance of such a situation is a person's neglect of the rules of his own safety. Many do not realize how dangerous the cold can be.
The absence of a scarf, headgear, mittens or gloves often results in some stage of frostbite. Therefore, when leaving the house, we must not forget to dress for the weather. Also, the work of some people or just circumstances can force you to be in the cold without moving for a long time. This must not be allowed. If you can’t get out of the cold, you need to try to move, jump and stomp. You can't stand in one place.
Using alcoholic beverages or drugs, a person loses control over himself. He can go in an unknown direction, stay on the street for a long time. It is very dangerous if a person falls and falls asleep. People around, if they see a person sleeping in the cold, should call an ambulance,try to bring the person to a warm room.
Frostbite can also occur from overwork or malnutrition. Such people have low resistance to adverse environmental factors. Therefore, they are more exposed than others to the cold.
First aid for frostbite may need to be given to a person who has been injured. Especially dangerous are injuries with hemorrhage. Also, people with heart failure, low blood pressure, liver cirrhosis, cancer and other serious diseases in the cold season need to dress very warmly. They also often get frostbite. You need to remember this.
First Aid
First aid for frostbite begins the same for all degrees of this condition. The victim must be urgently taken to a warm room. His continued exposure to the cold only exacerbates the situation. With a mild form of frostbite, you can try to warm the damaged areas with your hands, warm breath. Next, apply a sterile gauze bandage. However, you need to be sure that a person has the first degree of frostbite. Before this, you need to measure the pulse, visually assess the condition of the skin. If it is red, you can perform similar actions.
In subsequent degrees of frostbite rubbing, rapid rewarming is contraindicated. In this case, immediately call an ambulance. After that, you need to isolate the damaged tissue from heat. Cover them with a thick blanket or cloth andfoil. This will prevent rapid heating.
Also, with the second, third or fourth degree of frostbite, a sterile bandage of cotton and gauze is applied. It must be multi-layered. First, a layer of bandage is made, then cotton wool is applied. Then the actions are repeated. If there is no cotton wool, wool rags will do. From above, the bandage is wrapped with a scarf, a thick cloth. Next, the limb must be immobilized. To do this, use boards, bars, plywood or even just cardboard. They are applied over the bandage. Fix such a support with a bandage or other improvised means.
Also, the victim is offered tea and food. You can take analgin or aspirin. This will expand the vessels, improving blood circulation.
What not to do?
First aid for frostbite and hypothermia involves a number of actions. You need to know that you can not take alcohol in this state. It is also forbidden to rub the damaged areas with snow.
This leads to the spread of infection, which makes treatment much more difficult. Do not apply heating pads, use oil, alcohol or fat for rubbing.
Actions for "iron" frostbite
In some cases, children ignore their parents' instructions not to touch iron surfaces with their tongues. Some wish to test this theory empirically. As a result, "iron" frostbite can be observed. To avoid such a nuisance, you need to show the child pictures that depict the consequences of such actions. visualan example is much more informative than verbal explanations.
If the child nevertheless committed an action forbidden by the parents, you need to provide simple first aid for frostbite. Ideally, if parents have the opportunity to collect some warm water, they have warm tea in a thermos with them. The liquid should be warm, not hot. It is poured over the junction of the tongue with a metal surface. In this case, it is possible to free the curious victim.
More often there is no warm water at hand. In this case, you need to close the place of contact with your hands and try to warm it with warm breath. This action is effective. When the baby can be disconnected from the metal object, you need to rinse the wound with warm water. You can make a solution of water, iodine, s alt and soda. They need to wash the wound. If the damage is significant, you need to see a doctor.
Treatment
First aid for frostbite can significantly reduce the negative manifestations of this condition. For mild injuries, it is recommended to use special ultraviolet lamps, creams and ointments (prescribed by a doctor). If there are blisters, apply antiseptic dressings.
If the liquid in the bubbles is transparent, they are opened. The damaged epidermis is removed. Next, apply a bandage with an antiseptic. Physiotherapy is prescribed. The patient is given injections of antibiotics.
In frostbite of the third and fourth stages, dead tissue is removed surgically. In some cases, the injured limb is amputated. In this case, treatment and rehabilitation lasts several months.
A few recommendations
It is important to know first aid for frostbite. However, it is better to prevent such a nuisance. If a person feels that he is freezing, he can do some simple exercises. If your face freezes, you need to lean forward and walk a little. At the same time, they rub the skin with their hands (not with snow).
If your fingers are frozen, you need to sharply open them, as if throwing a stone. You can't just compress them completely. You can put your hands under the armpits. To warm your feet, you need to roll from toe to heel, try to move your toes, squeezing and unclenching them. You can also jump in place.
To keep warm in general, you can do a few squats, running in place. However, you can't sweat. This will lead to even faster freezing. It's better to just walk, bend over, if there is no way to get into a warm room.
Having considered the basic recommendations and first aid for frostbite, you can not only minimize the negative consequences, but also save a person's life.
