Symptoms of Frostbite

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

Extreme cold has a numbing effect, so freezing can occur without warning, but usually the first symptom before freezing involves â€˜pins and needlesâ€™ or throbbing or aching in the area concerned. The affected skin is white, hard and numb. When the tissue is thawed out, it becomes red and very painful. There may also be swelling and itching as the area is warmed.

Severe frostbite presents as a whitish, waxy appearance, blisters form and this when gangrene may set in. The tissue will feel frozen or â€˜woodenâ€™ There may also be damage to tendons, muscles, nerves and bones.