The symptoms of frostbite progress in stages. The longer the body is exposed to freezing conditions and the colder the temperature is, the more advanced frostbite can become.
Early stage – frostnip
During the early stage of frostbite, you will have pins and needles, throbbing or aching in the affected area. The skin will become cold, numb and white, and you may feel a tingling sensation.
This stage of frostbite is also known as frostnip, and is common in people who live or work in cold climates. The extremities, such as the fingers, nose, ears and toes, are most commonly affected.
Intermediate stage
After these early signs, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures will cause more tissue damage. The affected area will feel hard and frozen. When you are out of the cold and the tissue is thawed out, the skin will turn red and blister, which can be painful. There may also be swelling and itching.
This is known as superficial frostbite because it affects the top layers of skin and tissue. The skin underneath the blisters is usually still intact but treatment is needed to make sure there is no lasting damage.
Advanced stage
When exposure to the cold continues, frostbite becomes increasingly severe. The skin becomes white, blue or blotchy, and the tissue underneath feels hard and cold to touch. There may be further damage to tendons, muscles, nerves and bones beneath the skin.
This is known as deep frostbite and requires urgent medical attention.
As the skin thaws, blood-filled blisters form and turn into thick black scabs. At this stage, it is likely that some tissue has died. This is known as tissue necrosis, and the tissue may have to be removed to prevent infection.
Long-term effects
People with a history of severe frostbite often report further long-term effects of frostbite.
These can include:
- increased sensitivity to cold
- numbness in the affected body parts, most commonly the fingers
- reduced sense of touch in the affected body part
- persistent pain in the affected body part
