Prevention of Frostbite: A Mini Review

Abstract

Frostbite is an injury caused due to freezing of the skin and underlying tissue because of extreme cold/freezing weather. Cold weather injuries rapidly increased 20% in 2017–2018 from the previous year. The highest incidence was among exposed army and marine personnel. Frostbite is the most common cold weather injury across few parts of many countries in the world. High-risk groups are mountaineers, people who live in the highest altitude, old age and infants. It has three stages and the third stage may be dangerous and can cause many life-threatening complications such as gangrene, loss of limbs, hypothermia, muscle and joints stiffness, and death sometimes, if not treated. Frostbite can be prevented by avoiding exposure of body parts to the coldest weather, wearing enough cloths for protection, avoid working in the coldest weather, keep warm body, stay hydrated, warm bath and consume balanced diet.