http://wcqs.org/post/polar-vortex-brings-cold-temps-high-winds-wnc
Winter brings the colder temperatures, snow and ice as well as risks for injury different from summer. Everyone knows that you have to bundle up to keep warm during cold weather and we've always been advised wear layers to better insulate while covering up as much as possible but what about when it gets really cold? For those of us who live in the south it is unusual to have temperatures in the single digits or even below freezing. This year we have had more severely cold days and nights than we have had in years! Preparing for this drastic change requires some definite planning-more planning than running to the store to buy out all the bread and milk!
Be Prepared
To be truly ready for extreme weather like this you need to have alternate forms of heat source readily available and flashlights with fresh batteries in case power goes out due to power lines being overweight by ice. Protect plumbing by wrapping exterior piping to insulate from the cold and if it drops below freezing run a small stream of hot water through each faucet to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes, which can burst. If these drastic temps can damage plumbing, imagine what it could do to exposed skin! Frostbite causes damage to skin and underlying tissue from extremely cold temperatures that adversely affect blood flow. When blood flow is restricted to any part of the body, that part begins to die.
What increases your chances of developing frostbite?
- Taking Beta Blockers (a type of blood pressure medicine)
- PVD (peripheral vascular disease-damages blood vessels causing poor circulation)
- Smoking (damages blood vessels which can lead to PVD)
- Diabetes (again, can lead to PVD)
- Raynaud's Phenomenon (abnormal constriction of blood vessels impeding blood flow)
- Taking extending periods of time in extreme cold with no breaks to warm up
Signs of Frostbite
- painful, burning, prickly or itchy sensation followed by numbness
- red skin that turns pale, white and turns hard-possible waxy in appearance
- throbbing areas of skin
- clumsiness-not able to control muscles and joints
- loss of feeling in the affected area
- white skin that turns bright red and painful when warmed
- blisters and black color can develop if conditions persist (these advanced signs indicate gangrene or death of tissue, which may involve skin, muscle, tendons, nerves and bone)
Frostbite can occur anywhere on the body but areas exposed the most are likely to be at risk: fingers, toes, nose, ears and even apple of the cheeks.
Protect Yourself
- stay in a warm environment whenever possible
- wear layers of clothing to insulate
- keep covered as much as possible. especially extremities, ears nose and face
- do not wear anything constricting
- stay as dry and remove wet clothing quickly
- if you must me in the cold, get to warmth as soon and as often as possible
Treating Frostbite
- remove person from cold to warmer area promptly
- remove any wet clothing and constricting items such as jewelry
- place affected area in warm (never hot) water or cover with warm wash clothes for 20-30 mins
- put gauze between fingers/toes to keep them separate
- do not rub area and try to move it as little as possible
- wrap area in gauze (if available) to protect from further damage and to keep warm
- give warm drinks to keep body temperature and hydration up
- thaw frostbitten area if there is no way to keep it from refreezing (refreezing causes more damage)
- rub
- disturb any blisters present
- use direct dry heat (can cause burns)
- smoke or drink alcohol during recovery phase due to the effects both have of circulation
