Frostbite is a freezing, cold thermal injury which occurs when tissues are exposed to temperatures below their freezing point (typically below -0.5°C but can occur up to 2°C with prolonged exposure). Show It most commonly affects the extremities of the body - in particular, the head (especially nose, ears and cheeks), as well as the hands and feet. Predisposing factors include extremes of age, altered mental status (e.g. intoxication) and underlying vascular disease. High risk groups include military personnel, winter sports enthusiasts and outdoor workers as well as the elderly and homeless. Pathophysiology of FrostbiteExposure to sub-freezing conditions results in the formation of ice crystals intracellularly and extracellularly. This causes cell damage and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators from damaged tissue, contributing further to ischaemia. However, frostbite does not arise from the freezing injury alone – the effects of thawing also initiate a ischaemic reperfusion injury and associated inflammatory response, causing further tissue damage. Classification of frostbite
Clinical features
ManagementPrehospital
Resuscitation
Specific therapy
Further References and ResourcesPatient Factsheets
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