In this Article

• Introduction
• What type of injuries can be caused by cold weather?
• Cold weather-related injuries without tissue freezing
• Chilblains
• Trench foot (immersion injury)
• Cold weather-related injuries with tissue freezing
• Frostbite
• Frostbite symptoms
• Who is most likely to get a cold weather-related injury and what can be done to prevent it?
• How should frostbite and other cold weather-related injuries be treated?
• When should I seek medical care for a cold weather-related injury?
• Frostbite Chilblains, and Trench Foot At A Glance
• Frostbite Glossary
• Frostbite Index

When should I seek medical care for a cold weather-injury?

Chilblains can usually be treated at home, though if signs of infection, blisters or open sores develop, individuals should consult a healthcare provider. Also, those patients with recurrent chilblains may also seek medical care.

Individuals with trench foot or frostbite should consult a healthcare provider. These are more serious cold weather-related injuries and often require admission to the hospital and long-term medical or surgical management. Lastly, if there is blistering or open sores and you are not up to date on your tetanus vaccination (within the last 10 years), you should receive a tetanus booster.

Frostbite Childblains, and Trench Foot At A Glance

• Cold weather-related injuries occur with and without freezing of body tissues.
  
  
• The young and the elderly are especially prone to cold weather-related injuries.
  
  
• Alcohol and illicit drug use increases the risk of cold weather-related injuries.
  
  
• Examples of cold weather-related injuries include chilblains, "trench foot," and frostbite.
  
  
• Frostbite can lead to loss of body parts.
  
  
• It is important not to thaw an extremity if there is a risk of it re-freezing.

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