How to Cure Frostbite
Frostbite is when cold temperatures cause injuries to the skin tissue. By spending time outdoors in below-freezing temperatures, you are putting yourself at risk of frostbite. When frostbite is not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent damage.
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Instructions
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Take pain relievers before doing anything else. Frostbite is an incredibly painful condition. Even while it is being treated, frostbite is likely to punish its victim. Taking pain relievers is one of the best ways to at least temporarily relieve the pain.
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Seek emergency care from a hospital as soon as possible. No one knows how to treat frostbite better than a medical professional.
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If you can't reach a doctor, boil water in a pot and pour it into a bowl or bucket. The bowl or bucket should be large enough to soak the area of the body with the frostbite. Wait until the water is only lukewarm to begin the soaking. It should not still be very hot when you begin the soaking because it could cause more pain.
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Change the water several times. After the areas of the body with frostbite have been soaked, the water is eventually going to become cool. It is likely that you are going to need to boil the water several times to change the bowl bucket of water so that it is not too cold.
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Use a tub to take a lukewarm bath if most of the body is frostbitten. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure that the whole body will be able to thaw. Gradually begin thawing out certain areas of the body, such as feet and then the legs, until the whole body is in the bathtub.
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Allow body heat to cure frostbite. If you are not in a location where water can be boiled or cannot received emergency medical treatment, then you will want to think about using body heat to treat the frozen skin. Someone who is at a normal body temperature should hold the person with frostbite. Also keep in mind that blankets will help cure the problem.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind that a bucket will work better for soaking feet, while a bowl works best for hands.
Never rub the area that has frostbite. Areas of the body that have had frostbite should never be allowed to freeze again. Fires, stoves, and similar forms of heat should not be used to thaw the frostbitten areas.
