Potential health impacts associated with extreme cold include frostnip, frostbite, chilblains and hypothermia. In severe cases, hypothermia can lead to organ failure and even death.
Symptoms of cold-related illness to watch for:
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
- Shivering
- Exhaustion/feeling very tired
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Babies with bright red, cold skin and/or very low energy
HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia is considered the most serious cold-related illness and can result in death if not addressed quickly.
Symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Shivering
- Confusion
- Loss of muscle control (such as difficulty walking)
- Drop in body temperature (below 35°C)
If you notice someone with signs of hypothermia:
- Get medical attention immediately
- Get the person indoors and lay them down
- Gently remove wet clothing
- Warm the person gradually and slowly using available sources of heat
FROSTBITE
Frostbite is a more severe condition, where both the skin and the underlying tissue (fat, muscle, bones) are frozen. Symptoms of frostbite vary based on the stage and severity of skin damage caused by the cold.
FROSTNIP
Frostnip is the first stage of frostbite and is considered the warning stage when skin damage is just temporary.
SYMPTOMS: The skin may be red to purple, or lighter than the natural skin tone, and may feel cold, slightly painful, and tingly.
SUPERFICIAL (SURFACE) FROSTBITE
This is the second stage of frostbite and requires medical treatment.
SYMPTOMS: The skin might feel warm, but the water in the skin is actually slowly freezing into ice crystals, causing a pins-and-needles sensation. The skin may also sting or swell up.
After rewarming, the person may experience painful, spotty patches or purple or blue areas of skin resembling a bruise. The skin also may start to peel and feel like a sunburn.
SEVERE (DEEP) FROSTBITE
In the third state of frostbite, the person's lower layers of skin (subcutaneous tissue) freeze and total numbness sets in.
SYMPTOMS: It can be difficult to move the area that's frostbitten, or the person may be unable to move it normally.
Get medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Additional symptoms:
- Big blisters may appear on frostbitten skin 1-2 days following cold exposure
- Frostbitten skin turns black due to skin cells dying post-freezing
- Skin may form a hard, black covering that falls off on its own