2003 Press Releases

Advice About Frostbite and Hypothermia From the Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center 

LIVINGSTON, N.J. -- Two of the most dangerous conditions that can result from excessive exposure in cold weather are frostbite and hypothermia. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), children are at greater risk than adults for frostbite and hypothermia because they lose heat from their skin more rapidly than adults do and because they may be reluctant to leave their winter fun to go inside and warm up. 

“If your child is exposed to extreme temperatures, usually for an extended period of time and without appropriate clothing or other protection, he or she could find himself in a life-threatening situation,” says James McEnrue, M.D., attending physician in Emergency Medicine and Director of the Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center

With both hypothermia and frostbite, medical attention should be sought immediately. The following winter safety information is provided by the Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Understanding Frostbite

Frostbite is, literally, frozen body tissue ­ usually skin ­ and must be handled carefully to prevent permanent damage.  It occurs when the skin freezes as a result of low temperatures, wet clothes or even forceful winds. Your fingers, toes, earlobes, cheeks and nose have the greatest exposure to cold and are most likely to be affected when freezing of the skin and deeper layers occurs. Frostbitten skin changes appear as white or yellowish discoloration with redness and swelling accompanied by an itching or burning sensation, and/or numbness. Severely frostbitten skin may appear blistered and hardened, similar to severe burns. 

You can help a victim of hypothermia the following ways

• Get the person out of the wind to a warm, dry, sheltered area, warming the person with blankets, and taking him/her to a hospital emergency room. 
• If you cannot get him/her to a hospital right away or must wait for an ambulance, begin first-aid treatment. Raise affected areas and apply warm, moist compresses to these areas. If warm water is not available, wrap gently in warm blankets. 
• Do not use direct heat such as a fire or heating pad. 
• Do not thaw the area if it is at risk for re-freezing, which may cause severe tissue damage. 
• Do not rub frostbitten skin or rub snow on it. 
• If feet are affected, carry the individual.

The Danger of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when your internal body temperature drops lower than normal as a result of excessive exposure to a cold environment indoors or out. Babies and children, people in poor health and the elderly can easily become hypothermic. Symptoms can range from constant shivering, an urge to urinate, and can include confusion and sleepiness to muscle stiffness, slurred speech and trouble seeing

• Call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the individual indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him/her in blankets or warm clothes. If his breathing or pulse stops, he/she will need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR.

Tips for Staying Warm

• Limit your exposure to cold and go indoors if there is any doubt that you are too cold. 
• Eat plenty of food, drink warm fluid and stay as active as possible. 
• Be careful of things that restrict circulation: smoking, alcohol, tight clothing, fatigue. 
• Dress in multiple layers of clothing to trap warm air between layers. Several layers of light, loose clothing will trap air yet provide adequate ventilation. 
•  Wear the "right" coat, one that covers your seat.
•  Wear a hat outside. It can prevent up to 20 percent of total body heat loss. Hoods, scarves, earmuffs and facemasks are also good protection against the cold.
•  Wear well-insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens to prevent your fingers from freezing. Wear well insulated, waterproof shoes or boots. Wool socks add warmth and comfort. 
• Once inside, remove all wet clothing immediately. Wet clothes draw heat from the body.
• Immerse chilled body parts in warm (not hot) water. Do not let your child control the water temperature during re-warming. Numb hands will not feel the heat and can be severely burned by water that is too hot. 

The Emergency Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center provides specialized, around-the-clock medical care by board-certified emergency physicians and registered nurses. In addition to treatment rooms designed for trauma, cardiac care, ear/nose/throat, obstetric/gynecologic, orthopedic, isolation and hazardous material exposure and psychiatric emergencies, the Department also has a self-contained Pediatric Emergency Care Center. 

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