Frostbite

Treatment depends on severity.

Precautions: watch for secondary infection, tetanus, gangrene

Physical treatment

• Elevate affected limb

• Rewarm in water just above body temperature 40°C (104°F) or use body heat (e.g. in axillae)

• Avoid thawing or refreezing

• Surgical debridement

• Don’t debride early (wait until dead tissue dried)

• Don’t drink alcohol or smoke

• For blistering, apply warm water compresses for 15 mins every 2 h

Drug Rx: analgesics