Things You'll Need:
- Warm water
- Dry, warm clothing
- Over-the-counter pain reliever (as necessary)
- Presciption pain reliever (as necessary)
- Antibiotics (as necessary)
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Step 1
Warm the affected area immediately. Go inside or attempt to warm the frozen body part by covering it, warming it with your breath or holding the area, such as your hands, against the body. Warming it will help prevent major tissue damage to areas deeper in the skin, muscles or bones.
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Step 2
Determine the extent of the skin damage. Frostbitten skin will appear white or have a yellowish-gray cast, feel hard, numb or have a burning sensation.
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Step 3
Soak the frostbitten area in warm, but not hot, water to gently thaw it. Avoid using strong heat especially heat lamps, a radiator or heating pad. Since the skin is numb, you can inadvertently burn it by not recognizing the extent of the heat.
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Step 4
Seek medical help if the area blisters, becomes inflammed or loses its feeling even after it's been warmed. A doctor can determine the extent of the damage and decide if you need further treatment.
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Step 5
Do not rub or move the area if it's severely numb except in emergencies. Walking on feet that are frostbitten, for example, can increase the damage.
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Step 6
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen to ease pain and fight inflammation. Your physician may also prescribe prescription pain relievers or antibiotics to fight potential infection.
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Step 7
Follow your doctor's recommendations about additional treatment for serious cases of frostbite. You may require physical therapy or other treatments to improve circulation in the affected areas. In very severe cases, surgery may be indicated to remove dead tissue.
