You're Offline
The page will automatically refresh once you get online
You can get frostbite if your skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below.
The parts of the body most often affected are the fingers, toes, nose and ears.
At first, your skin may be:
Frostbite gets worse the colder it is and the longer you’re exposed to the cold.
If frostbite gets worse, symptoms can include:
You've been exposed to very cold temperatures and:
If you think you or someone you're with has frostbite, there are some things you can do while waiting for medical help.
go indoors or somewhere sheltered as quickly as possible
remove clothing and jewellery, such as gloves, rings and boots from the affected area
wrap yourself in something warm like a blanket, sleeping bag or dry towel
put your hands in your armpits (if your hands are affected)
if you're with someone who has frostbite, place the affected body part in your lap and gently warm it with your hands
place the affected body part in warm (not hot) water, dry it and put on a light dressing, such as a gauze bandage, if you have one
raise the body part to reduce swelling
take paracetamol to ease any pain – do not give aspirin to children under 16
have a warm drink or water
do not rub the affected area
do not use things like a fire, radiator, hot water bottle or heat lamp to warm the affected area
do not have a hot bath to warm yourself up
do not drink alcohol
If the person is shivering a lot or struggling to stay awake, they may have hypothermia (very low body temperature).
Make sure they’re warm and keep them awake by talking to them until you can get medical help.
Frostbite is treated in hospital.
Treatments for frostbite include:
You may have follow-up appointments to check how your wounds are healing and to help with any lasting problems you might have (such as problems with movement).
Frostbite can cause serious problems, especially if it’s severe.
It can cause the skin and tissue to die (gangrene), which may mean the affected body part needs to be removed (amputated).
Some people have lasting problems after having frostbite, such as pain and stiffness in the affected areas.
You're also more likely to get frostbite again if the body part is exposed to cold temperatures.
To help avoid getting frostbite, it’s important to wear warm clothing if you're in very cold temperatures.
For example, you should wear:
It’s also important to eat and drink regularly if you’re in cold conditions for long periods.
