How to Prevent Frostbite and Chilblains in Winter

● Frostbite and Chilblains

(1) What is frostbite? Frostbite is a condition that occurs when a part of the body freezes due to exposure to cold. It mainly affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes, and if severe, it can cause tissue damage. In the worst case, amputation may be necessary, making it one of the 대표 winter illnesses.

In the early stages, frostbite causes little or no pain, but when you go somewhere warm, the skin may feel itchy and cold, and you may experience a sharp, stinging pain along with redness and swelling. In severe cases, the skin may turn blue or black as it becomes necrotic, and if the necrotic area remains exposed, the toes may rot within 5 to 6 hours.

(2) What are chilblains? Chilblains are inflammation caused by blood vessel damage in mild cold at above-freezing temperatures. The skin does not freeze like in frostbite, but if bacteria enter the affected area, ulcers may develop in severe cases. Chilblains can occur even at above-freezing temperatures, so caution is needed. They can also occur when feet sweat a lot inside tight shoes even at above-freezing temperatures.

● Behaviors that worsen frostbite and chilblains

(1) Wearing tight shoes that reduce blood circulation in the feet Boots that cover the calves and wearing height-increasing insoles in athletic shoes make the feet feel constricted, which is very harmful to foot health. Exposing feet for more than an hour while wearing tight shoes further increases the risk of frostbite.

(2) Wearing overly thick socks and then putting on shoes If you wear socks that are too thick and sweat in tight shoes, the humidity inside the shoes increases, raising the risk of frostbite even further.

(3) Standing for long periods or sitting without much movement In this case, congestion in the lower limbs can worsen chilblains or frostbite.

● Tips for preventing frostbite and chilblains

(1) Wear socks of an appropriate thickness that allow sweat to escape well, and wear comfortable shoes. Even if it is not extremely cold, wearing tight shoes interferes with blood circulation in the feet. Thick socks or insoles make shoes tighter and cause the feet to sweat a lot, which increases the risk of frostbite.

(2) If your shoes get wet, take your feet out quickly and dry them. Frostbite or chilblains can occur when the feet inside shoes become damp.

(3) In cold places, move your body as often as possible to promote good blood circulation.

(4) For children, instead of thick socks, choose socks that are thin but provide good insulation and allow sweat to escape well, and recommend mittens, which keep the hands warmer.

(5) If you get frostbite, the top priority is to visit a hospital as quickly as possible. If it is difficult to go to a hospital right away, first-aid guidelines are as follows:

Move to a warm room as quickly as possible. At this time, do not step on or walk on the frostbitten area under any circumstances. Immerse the frostbitten area in warm water that is not hot (to the point where it is comfortable to keep an elbow submerged). Or use body heat by placing it under the armpit to warm it. Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area with snow, and warming measures such as using a heat pad, lamp, or heating device should never be used because they may cause burns.

● High-risk groups for frostbite and chilblains

People with impaired blood circulation due to tight shoes, etc., or those who cannot keep warm with proper clothing in extreme cold; people who stand for long periods or sit without much movement

So far, we have explained how to prevent frostbite and chilblains in winter. In the next installment, we will look at first-aid guidelines for major winter illnesses.

Source: National Health Information Portal, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency