Errata - Feb., 2004
Stocking the
First Aid Kit with Remedies for Winter Exposure - Nancy
Siciliana
We carried this article in our Feb issue and someone pointed
us to the fact that the general management that has been suggested
for frostbite is not as per the current standards. Hence we
are providing the general management that is accepted by the
medical community at large.
Managment for Frostbite
For Mild Cases (Outer skin is hardened and frozen, numb,
and/or white)
· Get into a dry, warm place.
· Put on dry, warm clothing. Be sure to cover your
head as well to retain more of your body heat.
· Make sure your feet are also kept warm and refrain
from placing them on cold surfaces.
· Drink nonalcoholic, warm liquids as alcohol will
cause the blood to lose heat rapidly.
For Moderate Cases (symptoms of Hypothermia)
· Remove all wet clothing immediately.
· Wrap a blanket or sleeping bag around yourself. If
you are with someone else, wrap the blanket around both of
you.
· If you are conscious and not vomiting drink nonalcoholic,
warm liquids.
For Severe Cases (Underlying tissue is hard/frozen and the
skin is blotchy and/or blue, and blistering, and has Hypothermia)
· Seek medical attention immediately.
· If you are not improving and professional help is
not available, get into a warm bath (100°F to 105°F
(37.8°C to 40.5°C) and soak for 20 to 40 minutes.
How to Treat Frostbite:
· Immediately soak the affected area into warm water
(104°F to 110°F (40°C to 43.3°C), for 20 to
40 minutes.
· If you have any antiseptic, add this to the water.
· If you do not have warm water, hold the affected
area against a warm body part (e.g., under an armpit) or warm
by breathing out with your mouth on the area.
· Never rub or massage the affected area.
· If blisters develop, cover them with a bandage or
gauze to prevent them from opening and becoming infected.
· Elevate the affected area.
· If the frostbite is on the feet, keep your feet
up and do not walk around.
· Do not stand directly in front of a fire or applying
a heating pad to the area.
· Keep yourself as warm as possible. Wrap yourself
in blankets to protect yourself from the wind and cold.
· Refrain from smoking as it slows down the circulation
of blood to the extremities.
· Drink warm, nonalcoholic beverages.
· Warming the affected area can be very painful. It
helps to take a pain reliever to help dull the ache.
· Do not remove the affected area from the water once
sensation is returning to the affected area.
· Never re-warm the affected area if there’s a chance
that it will freeze again, but wait until you have reached
shelter.
Treatment of frostbite depends on the severity of damage
to the skin. Hospitalization is usually necessary in severe
cases.
|
Donate
for Hpathy