Frostbite for Beginners: Where to Start
Frostbite: the few things that matter most, and the mistakes that catch people out early.
Injury caused by freezing of the skin and the tissues under it, most often on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin.
Key takeaways
- First signs: redness or pain in the skin
- Later signs: skin that is white or grayish-yellow, unusually firm or waxy, or numb
- Most useful single change: Get into a warm place as soon as possible.
- Commonest mistake: Rubbing or massaging the area.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Why bother
It can cause permanent damage, and numb skin can be burned easily during rewarming.
Start here
Begin here, with two things rather than ten.
- Get into a warm place as soon as possible
- Put the affected area in warm, not hot, water
Then add these
After that, these.
- Warm the area with body heat, for example fingers in an armpit
- Cover exposed skin with hats, scarves, mittens and water-resistant boots
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| First signs | redness or pain in the skin |
| Later signs | skin that is white or grayish-yellow, unusually firm or waxy, or numb |
| Higher risk | people with poor circulation and people who are not dressed for the cold |
| Often occurs with | hypothermia, which should be treated first |
Common early mistakes
- Rubbing or massaging the area
- Using a heating pad, heat lamp, fireplace or radiator to warm numb skin
- Walking on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary
Related topics
- The Evidence on Burns and Scalds, Without the Hype (Emergency Care)
- The Evidence on Blood Clots, Without the Hype (Blood Health)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Feet and Diabetes (Foot Health)
- The Evidence on Diabetic Foot Care, Without the Hype (Diabetes)
Where to go next
- The Frostbite Checklist: What to Do and What to Skip
- Popular Beliefs About Frostbite, and What Is Actually Published
- Frostbite — the reference entry
- Weather Safety: The Complete Guide
- Wildfire Smoke: What Published Guidance Supports
- Hurricane Preparedness and Emergency Kits: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to speak to a doctor
Get medical care for any skin that stays numb, white or grayish-yellow, or that blisters after rewarming. Call 911 if there are also signs of hypothermia, such as confusion, slurred speech or a temperature below 95°F.
Where this comes from
- CDC — Preventing Frostbite
- American Red Cross — Winter Storm Safety
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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