[Frostbite injuries]. 1999

A Berg, and P Aas, and T Lund
Fysiologisk Institutt Universitetet i Bergen, Arstadveien 19, Bergen.

Frostbite injuries occur mainly in toes, fingers, ears, nose and cheek. Typically an initial vasoconstriction in the skin will protect from drop in core temperature. Ice crystal development occurs when tissue temperature drops to -2 degrees C, leading to increased osmolality of the extracellular fluid and intracellular dehydration. An additional insult occurs with thawing due to reperfusion of the tissue and thereby release of inflammatory mediators. Symptoms of frostbite injury are: White-cyanotic discoloration, pain and numbness followed by hypoaesthesia. General hypothermia should be prevented and treated before managing the local frostbite injuries. Direct contact with warm skin without rubbing should be used in superficial injuries. More severe and deeper injuries should not be thawed until definite treatment could be given in a hospital. Re-freezing and mechanical influence on the injured parts must be avoided. Thawing should preferably be done in stirred water of 40-42 degrees C with mild soap. Antibiotics may be indicated when the skin barrier is broken. Surgical debridement should be postponed until a clear demarcation occurs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007035 Hypothermia Lower than normal body temperature, especially in warm-blooded animals. Hypothermia, Accidental,Accidental Hypothermia,Accidental Hypothermias,Hypothermias,Hypothermias, Accidental
D005627 Frostbite Damage to tissues as the result of low environmental temperatures. Frostbites
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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