Skip to main content

Frostbite

Sangili Chandran, MD, Teresa Chirayil and Rahim Shareef, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A severe localized injury due to cold exposure, causing tissue to freeze, resulting in direct cellular injury and progressive dermal ischemia (most commonly of exposed hands, feet, f...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Significant cold exposure—determine length and severity.

  • Throbbing pain

  • Paresthesias

  • Numbness

  • Loss of coordination and dexterity

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Hands, feet, face, and ears are most commonly ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Correct hypothermia.

  • Assess for additional injuries.

  • Remove jewelry from affected extremities.

  • Initiate rewarming of affected body part only if there is no risk of refreezing. W...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Protect injured body parts.

  • Continue physical therapy.

  • Avoid smoking and alcohol.

  • Avoid recurrent cold exposure.

  • Ensure properly fitting clothing and footwear.

Patient Monitoring

REFERENCES

1
Fudge J. Preventing and Managing Hypothermia and Frostbite Injury. Sports Health. 2016;8(2):133-9.
2
Gao Y, Wang F, Zhou W, Pan S. Research progress in the pathogenic mechanisms and imaging ...

SEE ALSO

  • Hypothermia

  • Algorithm: Hypothermia

CODES

ICD10

  • T33.90XA Superficial frostbite of unspecified sites, init encntr

  • T34.90XA Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unsp sites, init encntr

  • T33.829A Superficial frostbite of unspecified foot, initial...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Frostbite is a tetanus-prone injury. Provide appropriate tetanus prophylaxis.

  • Avoid rewarming en route to the hospital if there is a chance of refreezing; rewarm only with water.

  • Assess ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×