Two of the most dangerous conditions that can result from cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite. To protect yourself this winter, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) suggests learning more about these conditions, knowing what to do if they occur, and how to avoid them.

Hypothermia occurs when your internal body temperature drops lower than normal as a result of being in a cold environment indoors or out. Infants, people in poor health, and the elderly can easily become hypothermic.

Frostbite occurs when the skin freezes as a result of low temperatures, wet clothes, or even forceful winds. Fingers, toes, earlobes, cheeks and nose have the greatest exposure to cold and are most likely to be affected.

Warning Signs

In adults, signs of hypothermia can include constant shivering, confusion, sleepiness, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, trouble seeing and memory loss. In infants, hypothermia may cause symptoms such as bright red, cold skin and very low energy. Symptoms of frostbite might include skin turning very white and soft or yellowish accompanied by an itching or burning sensation, to numbness and reddened or swollen skin. Severe frostbite symptoms include blistering and hardened skin.

What to Do

You can help a victim of hypothermia by getting the person out of the cold and to a dry, warm place and by calling for immediate medical attention. Remove wet clothing and warm the person with dry clothes, blankets, towels or your own body heat. Be sure to cover the victim's head. Keep the victim still because too much movement may cause cardiac arrest. Keep the victim in a horizontal (flat) position. Give artificial respiration or CPR (if you are trained) as necessary.

To help a frostbite victim, get the person to a warm, dry place and remove constrictive and wet clothing. Raise affected areas and gradually apply warm moist compresses to these areas. Do not rub frostbitten areas or apply direct heat.

With hypothermia and frostbite, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. The American College of Emergency Physicians wants you to stay warm in the colder months with these tips:

• Limit your exposure to cold and go indoors if there is any doubt you are too cold.
• Eat plenty of food and stay as active as possible.
• Be careful of things that restrict your circulation such as smoking, tight clothing and fatigue.

Ask your doctor if medication you are taking can affect your circulation.

• Limit your hot toddies! Alcohol also affects your circulation.
• Dress in multiple layers of clothing to trap warm air between layers.
• Wear a hat outside. It can prevent up to 20 percent of total body heat loss.

Updated March 2004