Frostbite |
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DESCRIPTION
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Frostbite, (frozen skin), usually affects bare skin on the hands, fingers, feet, toes, nose, and ears during cold and windy weather. People who have drunk alcohol or smoked before going outside are most likely to get frostbite. Those who have medical problems, such as diabetes or blood vessel diseases, are also highly susceptible.
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CAUSES
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Frostbite occurs when ice forms in the skin and blood vessels during extended exposure to subfreezing temperatures.
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SYMPTOMS
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You'll first notice numbness and pain. The skin will be hard and look white. After the skin warms up, its color will change from white to red or purple and you may feel pain, tingling, burning. The skin may swell and sometimes develops blisters.
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CARE
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You may need medicine to relieve the pain or to fight infection.
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