Protect Your Kids From Frostbite This Winter

As colder weather begins to roll in, you will want to start thinking about winter weather safety for you and your kids. One of the dangers parents need to be aware of is frostbite, which happens when body tissue becomes frozen.  Children are usually at a greater risk of frostbite than adults because they tend to lose heat from their skin faster than adults, but also because they might not be so quick to come in from the cold if they are out having fun.

Suiting your kids up in warm winter clothes is the first step in protecting them against frostbite. At Kids Health, they warn to also watch out for frost nip, an early warning symptom for frostbite. This usually happens to areas that are exposed to the cold, like cheeks, ears, nose, fingers and toes, which become red and numb. This can be treated at home by doing the following:

• Bring your child indoors and remove all wet clothing.
• Immerse chilled body parts in warm, but not hot, water until all feeling returns to the affected areas. Never let your child control water temperature, their numb hands will not feel the heat and they could be severely burned.
• Call your doctor if feeling does not return to these areas or if there are signs of frostbite.

Frostbite can be identified by white, waxy skin that feels hard and numb, and requires immediate medical attention.

If they have advanced into frostbite:

• Get them into dry clothing immediately, in a warm environment.
• Call a doctor or take your child to the emergency room. If you can’t make it right away, start with a warm drink and continue with first aid treatments.
• Immerse affected areas in warm, but not hot water, or wrapping in a warm blanket. Never use direct heat, and never rub frostbitten skin.
• When the affected area begins to rewarm, there may be a burning sensation and the affected area may blister or change colors. When skin is no longer numb, the area has been thawed.
• Without disturbing any of the blistering, apply a sterile wound dressing to the affected area. Wrap the rewarmed areas to prevent refreezing.

Frostbite can be extremely dangerous, and requires fast action.

Before your kids go outside to play in the cold weather, think about prevention. Make sure they stay warm and dry, especially when playing winter sports.

Check out Kid’s Health for more information on how to prevent frostbite, and what to do in case it strikes.