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Cold Weather Tips

Outdoor activities in cold winter temperatures can cause dangerous frostbite if precautions are not taken.

One of the most common weather-related injuries treated by doctors in winter is frostbite. Dr. Amber Barnhart, associate professor of family and community medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says if people are going to be outdoors for long periods of time, they need to take precautions.

SOUND BITE: “. . . keep any areas that are exposed covered. Those areas would be the face, the hands, the feet. You want to keep them dry, keep gloves on, warm shoes that keep your feet dry, have the face covered with a scarf, ears covered – the areas most susceptible to frostbite.”

Dr. Barnhart says the areas of the body that are most sensitive are the ones that are exposed. When frostbite occurs, the skin is hard, pale and cold. The area may lack sensitivity to touch, although there may be an aching pain. Dr. Barnhart says if someone suspects they may have frostbite, they should go inside immediately to warm up.

SOUND BITE: “we usually recommend that you warm up the area you are concerned about by using body heat. So put your hands inside of your shirt. Put it next to your body. Put your feet, if you can find somebody, on someone else and warm them up that way. Put your hands over your nose or your ears and help them warm up that way. And then, of course, get them covered with blankets as soon as you can as well.”

Dr. Barnhart says when traveling, people should take good outerwear, blankets, candles, flashlights, sand, food and water in case they get stranded along the road in bad weather. If someone has serious frostbite, they should promptly see a primary care physician or go to the emergency room for evaluation and possible treatment.