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Frostbite |
Written by Joseph Gardener
Sunday, 25 January 2009
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It's winter and is that time of year again. Frostbite is always a concern when the weather becomes cold. Kids and snow are magnets for each other. Adults who love to ski become giddy with excitement when the weather starts getting cold and snow begins to fall. We sometimes do not think about the dangers until it is too late. Frostbite can set in quickly. To prevent this we have to learn about it and take reasonable precautions. Frostbite is spots of localized damaged to the skin and other tissues that happens because of severe cold. It is most likely to involve the parts of the body that are farthest from the heart. Parts of the body with a large surface area can also be involved. The early stages are sometimes called "frostnip" instead of frostbite. Even though the highest altitudes and mountains with snow are where the worst injuries occur, frostbite can and does happen in lower altitudes. At or about 32° Fahrenheit blood vessels start to constrict that are close to the skin. This is a normal protection mechanism of the body. It serves to preserve the core temperature and to protect our vital organs from getting too cold. When the cold is either extreme (or if the body is exposed for too long to the cold) the blood flow to the extremities starts to slide into the danger zone. The result can be frozen fingers, toes and other tissues which is called frostbite. Permanent damage happens when frostbite is not treated quickly. When the tissue starts to die the nerves become damaged because they are deprived of oxygen. The affected areas first become purple and discolored. Soon afterward the extremities will become black. As time passes, feeling is lost and blisters start to happen. Frostbite requires prompt medical attention as soon as possible to prevent the loss of life or limb. When numbness sets in it is easy for the affected areas to be scraped or cut. The open wound can collect bacteria. An infection can set in that can quickly become serious or turn into gangrene. Children are at an increased risk for frostbite because their bodies are small. When they play in the snow their hands, feet and ears get wet. This makes their extremities more susceptible to the cold. It is advisable to let them play outside in short bursts and to come inside frequently to warm. Bundling up well, including hat, mittens, scarf, snow boots and jackets is required. Check the children frequently. If they start to show any signs of frostbite get medical help immediately. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
Joseph Gardener is a health expert specializing in pharmaceutical research, men's health and other health topics, such as generic viagra and viagra online information.
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