Dec. 1, 2022 | Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat and your body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in a cold body of water. It can also be caused by ongoing exposure to indoor temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it. While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in extremely cold water.

Dec. 1, 2022 | Victims of hypothermia are often older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating or babies who have been left to sleep in cold bedrooms. People who remain outdoors for long periods, such as the homeless or hikers and hunters, are likely to suffer from the condition, as are people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. An important but mild symptom of hypothermia is uncontrollable shivering, which should not be ignored. Although shivering indicates that the body is losing heat, it also helps the body to rewarm itself. Other symptoms may include a loss of coordination, drowsiness, slurred speech and a slow heart rate. Babies with hypothermia may have bright red skin that is cold to the touch. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know what is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Dec. 1, 2022 | If you suspect someone has hypothermia, the first thing you should do is call 911 or your local emergency number. Then take certain steps to help the person until they are seen by a medical professional. First, gently move the person out of the cold. If going indoors isn’t possible, protect the person from the wind, especially around the neck and head. Insulate the individual from the cold ground and be sure to easily remove any wet clothing. Replace wet things with warm, dry coats or blankets. If further warming is needed, do so gradually. For example, apply warm, dry compresses to the center of the body, on the neck, chest and groin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says another option is using an electric blanket, if available. If you use hot water bottles or a chemical hot pack, first wrap it in a towel before applying. Offer the person warm, sweet, non-alcoholic drinks and begin CPR if the person stops breathing or loses consciousness.

Dec. 1, 2022 | Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. In the earliest stage of frostbite, known as frostnip, there is no permanent damage to skin. The symptoms can include cold skin and a prickling feeling, followed by numbness and inflamed or discolored skin. As frostbite worsens, the skin may become hard or waxy-looking. Exposed skin in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable to frostbite, but it can affect skin covered by gloves or other clothing. Frostbite is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Because of skin numbness, you may not realize you have frostbite until someone points it out. A severe case can affect all layers of the skin as well as the tissue that lies below, causing joints or muscles to stop working. A loss of feeling may occur in the affected area, with large blisters forming 24 to 48 hours after rewarming. The frostbitten tissue usually turns black and hard as it dies.

Dec. 1, 2022 | To avoid cold-weather ailments like hypothermia or frostbite, you should be mindful of the risks they pose and avoid excessive exposure to low temperatures and harsh winds. It’s a good idea to pay attention to weather forecasts and wind chill readings. In very cold, windy weather, exposed skin can develop frostbite in a matter of minutes. And dress in several layers of loose, warm clothing. Air trapped between the layers of clothing acts as insulation against the cold. Wear windproof and waterproof outer garments to protect against wind, snow and rain. Choose undergarments that wick moisture away from the skin and change out of wet clothing, particularly gloves, hats and socks, as soon as possible. If you’re planning on being outdoors, don’t drink alcohol as alcoholic beverages cause the body to lose heat faster. And be sure to eat well-balanced meals and stay hydrated, doing this even before you go out in the cold will help you stay warm.