{"id":196,"date":"2011-01-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-01-21T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/compliance-signs.local\/safety-tip-what-to-know-about-frostbite\/"},"modified":"2022-08-02T17:07:34","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T21:07:34","slug":"safety-tip-what-to-know-about-frostbite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/safety-tip-what-to-know-about-frostbite\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Tip: What to Know About Frostbite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

January has brought record-breaking cold and snow to many areas of the country. The National Safety Council provides these suggestions for surviving in cold weather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frostbite: What to Look For:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

– Superficial frostbite is characterized by white, waxy or grayish-yellow patches on the affected areas. The skin feels cold and numb. The skin surface feels stiff and underlying tissue feels soft when depressed.
– Deep frostbite is characterized by waxy and pale skin. The affected parts feel cold, hard, and solid and cannot be depressed. Large blisters may appear after rewarming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

– Get the victim out of the cold and to a warm place immediately.
– Remove any constrictive clothing items and jewelry that could impair circulation.
– If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical attention immediately.
– Place dry, sterile gauze between toes and fingers to absorb moisture and to keep them from sticking together.
– Slightly elevate the affected part to reduce pain and swelling.
– If you are more than one hour from a medical facility and only if refreezing can be prevented, rewarm frostbite by immersing the area in lukewarm, not hot water (100 to 105 F). If you do not have a thermometer, test the water first to see if it is warm. Rewarming usually takes 20 to 45 minutes or until tissues soften.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Not to Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

– Do not use water hotter than 105 F.
– Do not use water colder than 100 F since it will not thaw frostbite quickly enough.
– Do not rub or massage the frostbite area.
– Do not rub with ice or snow.
– Do not apply a heat source to frostbitten skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n