Frostbite is an injury to the skin or underlying tissues caused by freezing when there is decreased blood flow mostly to the hands, face or feet. It is a localized complication causing dehydration and ultimately death of cells.
Exposed skin is at more risk of frostbite in conditions that are freezing cold and windy or wet, but it can also occur on skin covered by gloves or other clothing.
Prolonged exposure to cold cause ice crystals to form in all body tissues, when their temperature falls to less than -5*C.
Frostbite can range from mild to severe.
As frostbite gets worse, the affected skin may change colour and become hard or waxy looking.
- In mild the skin looks cold and can be numb and stiff. It’s uncomfortable but doesn’t lead to permanent damage.
- In second degree the skin turns white or blue and feels hard and frozen.
- In severe frostbite cases, it turns white, blue, or mottled.
In severe cases, it may become gangrenous that there may be damage to underlying blood vessels, bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues and area may need to be amputated if not addressed urgently!
COMMON CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
- Prolonged exposure to cold e.g. working outdoors, waiting for a bus in winter, an icy wind etc.
- Factors such as smoking, alcohol, Drugs-sedatives, tranquilizers and old age.
- Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, exhaustion, poor blood flow or congestive heart failure.
- History of frostbite or a cold injury in the past.
- Living at high altitude.
SYMPTOMS
- Numbness
- Tingling pain.
- Patches of skin in shades of red, white, blue, grey, purple or brown.
- Nails discolouration
- Cold, hard, waxy-looking skin.
- Clumsiness due to joint stiffness.
- Blistering after rewarming.
- On affected parts sometime even, touch is not felt.
- After warming, the affected part becomes blotchy red, painful, and swollen with throbbing pain.
Seek emergency help if you experience
- Intense pain even after taking a pain reliever and rewarming.
- Intense shivering.
- Slurred speech.
- Drowsiness
- Trouble walking.
Further Complications of frostbite include:
- Hypothermia
- Long-term numbness in the affected area.
- Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis.
- Growth problems in children if frostbite damages a bone’s growth plate.
- Risk of recurrent infections.
DO’S & DONT’S
- Remove the patient from cold to indoors, in a car, sleeping bag or survival bag.
- Wrap in warm blanket or clothing for general rewarming.
- Use heated blankets heating pads – rewarming is vital.
- Keep the person dry and remove any wet clothes from the affected part and anything that can slow circulation like rings, bangles etc.
- Check for pulse and respiration.
- If conscious give some warm fluid with a high sugar content.
- Warm the damaged area by placing your warm hand on it or tucking in your armpit.
- Keep the frost-bitten part over chest level. Prop up legs.
- Immerse the frozen body part for several minutes in water, no hotter than 40*-42*C (104-107*C).
- Gently stir water add warm water as it cools.
- Do not use direct heat like fire or radiator as it may damage the skin.
- Do not squeeze rub the affected part.
- Don’t burst any blisters or put any lotion.
- Don’t let hot steam reach frost bitten part.
- Protect affected body parts.
- Place a clean dry cloth between frostbitten toes and fingers.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking when waiting for help.
- For trips to cold areas dress appropriately in warm woollens.
- Cover hands and feet well in gloves and socks.
- Protect well from heat loss and wind chill.
- Seek Medical help to prevent infection.
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A ready-made kit that comes with instructions as how to take or use the remedies etc., containing 2 homeopathic remedies.
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Ideally, complimentary remedies should go hand-in-hand with conventional treatment for optimal recovery, and you may take them along with your regular medicines, if any, for additional benefits!
All our remedies are prepared according to Hahnemann principles, using traditional method of dilution or succussion, by a fully qualified naturopath practitioner after a lot of research, proving and great success results from a number of our in-house patients having similar conditions – Still the results may vary from person to person!
You may need to continue taking these remedies from few weeks to few months or until the desired results – depending upon the severity and chronicity of your condition.
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If you are looking for a particular remedy or a kit not listed on this site, please contact us, as we stock a wide range of complimentary remedies that you may need.
We also make tailor-made homeopathic remedies, as per your causative factors, physical & mental peculiar signs & symptoms etc., if you need any further information please feel free to message.
DISCLAIMER: Although, most natural remedies including herbal supplements, homeopathic remedies or aromatherapy formulations for external use etc., are generally very safe even in children and old age, we still recommend you to seek medical advice from your GP / personal health provider before making your purchase etc., if unsure.
Some patients may experience a little aggravation or worsening of their symptoms, specially in skin disorders – which is absolutely normal and a good sign, as most natural remedies tend to bring the disease in its expressive state – rather suppressing it deeper under the skin etc.
This complimentary remedies kit is taken with your own responsibility. Please avoid self-medication specially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have been suffering from any chronic or terminal medical conditions etc.
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