Frostbite can cause long-term damage to these areas if its not treated quickly enough.
Frostbite happens when your skin literally freezes.
In some cases the underlying tissues can freeze too.
Getty / Mykhailo Lukashuk
Frostbite symptoms can be surprisingly subtle at first.
You might think it would be really obvious if your skin and various tissues below it were to freeze.
Heres the full list of frostbite symptoms to look out for, according to theMayo Clinic:
1.
A red, white, blue-white, or gray-yellow tint to your skin5.
Warmth returning to your skin even as cold exposure persists6.
Skin that feels hard or looks waxy7.
Joint and muscle stiffness bad enough to make you clumsy8.
Mottled skin upon rewarming9.
Pain, stinging, burning, or swelling upon rewarming10.
In extreme frostbite cases, skin blistering upon rewarming11.
Skin that becomes hard and black
Frostbite symptoms actually develop in three stages.
But its still not pleasant.
When your skin eventually heats up after getting frostnip, you might feel pain and tingling.
This can be uncomfortable but is to be expected as regular blood flow returns to those areas.
In extreme temperatures, frostnip can progress to superficial frostbite in a matter of minutes, he explains.
Superficial frostbite can cause your reddened skin to become white or paler than usual, theMayo Clinicsays.
Your skin may also start to feel surprisingly warm even when its still exposed to the cold.
This can lull you into a false sense of security that youre fine.
But its the exact opposite.
“Blood rushes in and inflammation occurs,” he says.
“This creates warmth, but this isn’t healthy.”
You may be able to treat frostnip and minor frostbite symptoms at home.
Both can lead to burns and cause further injury.
you’re free to take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen.
Applying aloe vera gel or lotion to the frostbitten body part might help take the edge off too.
If at-home measures dont help, seek emergency medical treatment.
All of these signify a more intense level of frostbite.
Once youre getting treatment, a doctor will evaluate you to see how extensive your frostbite is.
Your doctor may attempt to rewarm your skin with methods like a warm water soak as well.
Unfortunately, the rewarming process can really, really hurt with extensive frostbite, Dr. Kman says.
In some cases, that will be all you gotta treat frostbite.
