Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

At What Temperature Can Frostbite Occur?

Frostbite occurs as a result of being exposed to cold temperatures or cold, wet conditions for a prolonged period of time. Windchill will also factor into the freezing temperature of the skin, resulting in a different skin freeze point for individuals.

  1. Significance

    • Prolonged exposure to temperatures at, or below, 32 degrees F can cause frostbite. Capillaries in the extremities will begin to dilate and constrict, restricting circulation and delivery of oxygen to tissues in the extremities.

    Effects

    • The most common areas of the body affected are the fingers, toes, ears and nose. Damage to the tissues from severe frostbite is permanent as the circulation to the area will stop.

    Time Frame

    • The severity of frostbite will depend greatly on the amount of exposure to cold temperatures. Frostbite is most commonly found in adults ages 30 to 49.

    Identification

    • The onset of frostbite will be numbness to the extremity. After prolonged exposure, the tissues will appear white and waxy. The tissues will then develop a black discoloration, indicating the death of the tissues.

    Warning

    • Gradual rewarming of affected areas is required. Never rub an area affected by frostbite or expose it to high heat. Persons suffering from frostbite should be seen immediately by a physician to determine the amount of tissue damage.

Related Searches:

References

Resources

You May Also Like

  • Information on Frostbite

    Frostbite can cause permanent damage to skin and underlying tissues, even when medically treated, if it is severe enough. It occurs when...

  • Does Temperature Affect Enzyme Activity?

    Lower temperatures mean that molecules in a living system are moving more slowly and have lower kinetic energy. Molecules must collide for...

  • Frostbite Treatment for Cats

    Frostbite is as much a concern for cats as it is for humans when they venture into subzero temperatures. It is even...

  • Can Frostbite Be Life-Threatening?

    Frostbite is a very dangerous condition that occurs when skin freezes. This can occur at temperatures of as high as 40 degrees...

  • Remedy for Frostbite

    Frostbite is a condition that happens in very cold climates when the extremities, especially the feet, are exposed to extreme cold for...

  • What to Do With a White Nose From Frostbite

    Frostbite is an injury that occurs when body tissue freezes. It is usually the result of prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures. The...

  • Early Stages of Frostbite

    Frostbite is a serious condition that may cause permanent damage to tissues, including the loss of fingers, toes or portions of the...

  • Frostnip Vs. Frostbite

    People who spend long periods of time exposed to temperatures below freezing are in danger of developing frostnip and frostbite. Frostnip is...

  • Frostbite Prevention

    Frostbite is a potentially serious condition that occurs when skin or other tissue is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. It usually affects...

  • How to Prevent Frost Bite

    Frostbite can occur any time your skin receives prolonged exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees. When temperatures dip below 0 frostbite can...

  • Symptoms of Frostbite in a Dog

    Symptoms of Frostbite in a Dog. Hypothermia occurs when an extremity had been exposed to a cold temperature for a long time...

  • What Temperature Is Too Cold to Play Outside?

    There's nothing like sledding in winter. However, children are especially vulnerable to cold. Any temperature below freezing can lead to frostbite, but...

  • How to Treat Frostbite Naturally

    Frostbite occurs in the skin and in the underlying tissue when there is prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. Typically, it occurs in...

  • Frostbite Facts

    Frostbite can occur with little or no warning. It arises when the tissues of your body freeze deeply due to very cold...

  • What Does Snap Freezing Mean?

    Snap freezing is the process of freezing something extremely quickly. It is sometimes called flash freezing and is used primarily in food...

  • How to Treat Frostbite

    Frostbite is dangerous: You can lose a finger or toe, even an arm or leg, if you don't treat it properly. Do...

  • What Is the Average Temperature of Earth?

    Despite the enormous variation in climates and regional temperatures around the world, scientists use an average temperature for the entire surface of...

  • How to Treat Frostbite on Cattle

    Farmers disagree over whether to leave cattle outdoors in the winter months or confine them to a barn. In general cattle seemed...

  • How to Know When Your Hands Have Frostbite

    You can identify frostbite on your hands if you learn the sensation, appearance and stages of frostbite. Frostbite is frozen skin tissue....

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured