(HealthDayNews) -- Frostbite should be a very real concern during the colder months, especially for people who enjoy outdoor pursuits as the temperatures fall.

The body parts most likely to be frostbitten are your hands, feet, nose and ears, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can identify frostbite by the hard, pale and cold quality of skin that has been exposed to the cold. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and painful.

If you are frostbitten, you should:

  • Get out of the cold immediately.
  • Avoid rubbing the affected area, especially with snow.
  • Delay thawing out the affected areas if there's any chance of refreezing. If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so they don't refreeze.
  • Get emergency medical help if numbness remains during warming. If you can't get help immediately, warm severely frostbitten hands or feet in warm -- not hot -- water.



-- Dennis Thompson

Last Updated: Nov-15-2004