Frostbite and hypothermia: causes and extent

Frostbite and hypothermia: causes and extent
 Frostbite - is damage to the body in varying degrees, caused by exposure to low temperatures. Usually it occurs winter, when the temperature is below 10-15 degrees. However, at higher temperatures possible frostbite or hypothermia, if the person was a long time in the street.

So, the reason for frostbite - prolonged exposure to cold. Susceptible to frostbite people who are in close and damp shoes and clothes that are long in one position, ie immobilized, physically overtired. Frostbite often get people who are intoxicated with diseases of the cardiovascular system and lower limbs subjected to injury.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures there are significant changes in the body, leading up to the death of the cells. If frostbite occurs spasm of blood vessels, blood flow is disturbed them and stops functioning. The most susceptible to damage the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers and toes.

Distinguish 4 degrees of frostbite. If the damage is 1 degree of skin pale, after heating becomes red, there is a burning, tingling. A few days later it can be shelled and itch. Recovery usually occurs within a week.

If frostbite grade 2 lesion pale, lost its sensitivity. There are pain and itching, skin may blister filled with clear liquid. Full restoration of the skin occurs in 10-14 days.

3 degree frostbite is characterized by the appearance of bubbles filled with bloody fluid. They are insensitive and after convergence are formed purple spots, later becoming scars. Scarring can only begin 2-3 weeks after frostbite and last up to a month.

If frostbite occurs 4 degrees necrosis, sometimes affects the bones and joints. Damaged skin becomes tinged with blue, swells, bubbles do not appear, but there is a complete loss of sensation.

Hypothermia occurs during a long stay in the cold. It manifests itself as a decrease in body temperature to 28-34 degrees. Mild hypothermia pale skin, there is a fever, it is difficult, there is a slow pulse.

With an average degree of supercooling body temperature is 30-32 degrees. Pale skin, becomes marble shade, blood pressure decreases, slows breathing. The victim can not concentrate on an object.

In severe body temperature reaches 28-30 degrees. The person loses consciousness, the skin becomes cyanotic. Pulse may slow down to 35 beats per minute, for the same time the victim is doing no more than 3-4 breaths.

Tags: spot ambassador degree frostbite, the reason, hypothermia