Hypothermia and Frostbite
We are experiencing some unusually cold weather and it is a good time to be alert for the risks of hypothermia and frostbite. This is a good topic for family discussions.
Hypothermia:
Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as the very young, seniors, those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated and/or without heat. Hypothermia can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. When the body's store of energy is used up, the result is hypothermia. Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person may not be aware that it is happening, and not take appropriate steps to prevent damage.
Warning Signs:
- Shivering, exhaustion
- Confusion, fumbling hands
- Memory loss, slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- For infants – bright red, cold skin, very low energy
What to do:
- If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately
- If the person is unconscious and does not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing, call 9-1-1
Prior to medical care:
- Get victim into a warm room or shelter
- Remove any wet clothing
- Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head and groin – using electric blanket if available, or use skin-to-skin-contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets
- Warm, nonalcoholic, beverages can help increase body temperatures if the victim is conscious
Frostbite:
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, typically the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers or toes. Signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness.
What to do:
- Get into a warm area as soon as possible
- Immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water
- Warm the affected area using body heat
- Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming
- Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes if at all possible
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it in any fashion
Dahlia, Hollyhill Angela, National Capital Dahlia Society Show, Brookside Gardens,
Wheaton, Maryland USA IMG 3000
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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