Medical Professionals Warn Of Frostbite Risk During Extreme Cold Weather

Jack Blair, his 5-year-old daughter Grace and their dog Ralph are the only ones at Woodward Park braving the cold.

“It's a school holiday and Ralph and Grace were getting a little stir-crazy in the house so we decided to take a walk,” said Blair.

They made a pit stop to play on the swing set and have a snowball fight. While many people wouldn’t dare to go out in 13-degree weather, Grace doesn’t hesitate.

“She wouldn’t have it any other way, she loves being out, playing in the snow,” Blair said. 

But if Grace were to stay out too long, she could be at risk for developing frostbite.

“So, frostbite is, anytime that there are parts of the body that are exposed to cold weather for lengthy periods of time, you start having tissue death,” said Steven Barnes with Hillcrest Hospital in Claremore. 

He says when temperatures dip below freezing, any exposed skin is at risk.

“A lot of the times where we see it is the extremities as far as, the hands, the fingers, the toes,” he said. 

He says you’ll start to feel numbness and stiffness and see a change in skin color. And he said it can happen quickly.

“Anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes would be a good time that it would set in,” he said. 

Barnes said if you start to develop frostbite, get out of the cold, take off any wet clothes, and get under warm blankets. He warns exposure to extreme heat could make it worse.

“A frostbite is actually a form of a burn, and If you want to think about it the same way as a burn, we would not expose them to extreme heat,” he said. 

Barnes stresses the importance of bundling up and preparing ahead of time, but he says the best plan is to not be outside in frigid temperatures unless you absolutely have to.

What are the signs of frostbite and hypothermia?

The forecast for a blast of freezing temperatures in Eastern Oklahoma has led many to ask about the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia.

According to the CDC, some symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, and memory loss. Signs of frostbite include white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels firm or waxy, and numbness. "Really the key when it comes to frostbite is prevention," said Dr. Clayton Nelson, an orthopedic hand surgeon with SSM Health. "Avoid cold exposure. Especially these extreme temperatures."

When the temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit or below, it takes about 30 minutes for exposed skin to get frostbite.

In cases of frostbite, blood vessels constrict themselves to keep the core of a person's body as warm as possible. 

"When that happens, the extremities that are exposed are at risk because the lack of blood flow cannot warm those extremities appropriately," Nelson said.

Oklahoma's State Department of Health has an injury prevention program that shares tips for winter weather.

"Make sure you're wearing shoes that are sure-footed," said Christian Bonds, a coordinator for the program. "That you're not walking on ice if you have the option to go a different direction."

Bonds also said people respond differently to cold weather. An apparent symptom in one person may not be the same for another. But, if in doubt, seeking medical help is a smart option.

Bonds and Nelson also recommend getting people inside and away from the frigid temperatures if beginning to experience frostbite or hypothermia. Removing any wet or cold clothing and replacing it with dry clothing is important. But, both say not to overexpose the body to intense heat. Any heat sources should be warm to the touch, according to the CDC. 

"The rewarming process can stop some of that tissue damage, and if done appropriately, can stop further damage from occurring," said Nelson.