Medicines for Frostbite

What it is

Frostbite is injury to the skin and the tissues beneath it caused by freezing, which happens on exposure to very cold conditions. It most commonly affects the extremities — the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin — where blood flow is more easily reduced. As freezing progresses, the affected area first feels very cold and painful, then numb, and the skin may look pale, waxy, or hard, and later become discoloured; in severe cases the tissue can be permanently damaged. An early, milder stage affecting just the surface (sometimes called frostnip) causes cold, tingling and pale skin but recovers fully with warming. Risk is higher in extreme cold and wind, with wet clothing, at altitude, with reduced circulation, and with alcohol or drugs that impair judgement. Frostbite often occurs alongside hypothermia (a dangerous drop in body temperature), which is treated as the priority.

How it is treated

First aid focuses on getting out of the cold and gently rewarming the affected part — but only if there is no risk of it refreezing, as thawing and then refreezing causes worse damage. Rewarming is best done by immersing the area in warm (not hot) water, and the affected part should not be rubbed, and heat sources like fires or radiators avoided (as numb skin can burn). Any hypothermia is treated first and urgently. Severe or deep frostbite needs urgent medical care, where specialist treatment aims to preserve as much tissue as possible; the final extent of damage can take time to become clear, and severe cases may lead to loss of tissue. Prevention is key in cold environments: dressing in warm, dry layers, covering the extremities, staying dry, avoiding alcohol, and recognising and acting on early warning signs. Anyone with numb, hard or discoloured skin after cold exposure should seek medical assessment.