The skin of the affected area turns paler than the area around it and you may feel pain or stinging, followed by numbness. It occurs when ears, noses, cheeks, fingers, or toes are exposed to the cold and the top layers of the skin freeze. Windburn occurs when cold wind removes the top layer of oil from the skin causing excessive dryness, redness, soreness, and itchiness.įrostnip is the mildest form of a freezing cold injury. What are examples of 'freezing' injuries? Back to top Symptoms are similar to an immersion foot. A similar condition of the hands can occur if a person wears wet gloves for a prolonged period under cold conditions described above. Trenchfoot is more likely to occur at lower temperatures whereas an immersion foot is more likely to occur at higher temperatures and longer exposure times. Depending on the temperature, an onset of symptoms may range from several hours to many days but the average is three days. Trenchfoot is "wet cold disease" resulting from prolonged exposure in a damp or wet environment from above the freezing point to about 10☌ (50☏). The skin may be red initially and turn to blue or purple as the injury progresses. Symptoms include tingling and numbness itching, pain, swelling of the legs, feet, or hands or blisters may develop. The primary injury is to nerve and muscle tissue. It can occur at temperatures up to 10☌ (50☏). Immersion foot occurs in individuals whose feet have been wet, but not freezing cold, for hours, days or weeks. Chilblains will usuall resolve on their own, especially in warmer weather. Seek medical help if an infection occurs. In the affected skin area there will be redness, swelling, tingling, blisters, and pain. What are examples of 'nonfreezing' cold injuries? Back to topĬhilblains are a mild cold injury caused by prolonged and repeated exposure for several hours to air temperatures that are cold, but not freezing (from above freezing (0☌ or 32☏) to as high as 16☌ (or about 60☏)). Hypothermia can be fatal.įor more information on the general effects of working in the cold as well as how the body adapts to cold, please see Cold Environments - General.įor information on exposure limits and prevention of injury while working in the cold, please see Cold Environments - Working in the Cold. The most severe cold injury is hypothermia which occurs from excessive loss of body heat and the consequent lowering of the inner core temperature (internal temperature of the body). If the eyes are not protected with goggles in high wind chill conditions, the corneas of the eyes may freeze.
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