Frostbite occurs when your body is exposed to low temperatures. The severity of frostbite depends on how cold the temperature is and how long you are exposed for.
Severe weather conditions (such as blizzards), wind chill and how suitable and dry your clothing is can all affect the development of frostbite.
Damage to the skin and tissue is caused by the body’s response to extreme cold. When it’s cold, blood flow to the extremities – such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and lips – slows down as blood vessels narrow.
This allows an increase in the flow of blood to the body’s vital organs to keep the body alive. As blood is redirected away from the extremities, these parts of the body get colder. Fluid in the tissue freezes and ice crystals form. These crystals can cause severe damage to the cells and tissues in the area and the blood flow may be significantly compromised. The low blood flow deprives the tissues of oxygen, eventually leading to the death of the tissues if blood flow cannot be restored.
Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause further damage. The greatest damage occurs in tissues that freeze, thaw, and then re-freeze.
