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Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose?

 

Here's how to tell if you have frostbite.
 


Frostbite refers to the freezing of body tissue.  Blood vessels contract and cause loss of oxygen to the affected body parts.  Feeling is lost and the color changes in the tissues.  It most commonly affects areas that are further away from the body core and have less blood flow like feet, hands, nose and ears.

There are three degrees of frostbite: frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite. Although children, older people, and those with circulatory problems are at greater risk for frostbite, most cases occur in adults between 30 and 49.

If you have frostbite, you may not realize it at first because the affected area will be numb.  With prompt medical attention most people recover fully from it.  In severe cases, blood flow to the area may stop and blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons and bones may be permanently affected.  If the frozen tissue dies, the affected area may need to be amputated. 

Source:
firstaid.webmd.com