WISCONSIN — Like fire, frigid air can cause skin damage. The risk for frostbite is high right now in Wisconsin's cold snap.

Severe frostbite is treated at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Regional Burn Center on the Milwaukee campus.

What You Need To Know

  • The risk for frostbite is high right now in Wisconsin's cold snap

  • Frostbite is most treatable early

  • That includes redness and a stinging, burning, throbbing or prickling sensation followed by numbness

  • Try to warm up the exposed areas with room temperature water for 15 minutes. If conditions don't improve or you develop blisters, get medical help

  • To prevent frostbite make sure your extremities are covered; dress in loose, light comfortable layers and make sure your feet and toes are protected with two pairs of socks

That can include topical wound care, Ascension nurse practitioner Melissa Kersten said.

“There are a few other things that we use if your frostbite is severe enough that you require in hospital admission. There are medications we can use to help break up the clots that form with frostbite injuries in extremities,” Kersten said.

She also said that “time is of the essence. If you do end up with frostbite you need to get evaluated right away so those treatments are effective. After a certain amount of time, they’re not effective anymore.”

If your skin is red, stinging, burning, throbbing or has a prickly sensation get inside right away to warm up. Those are all signs of frostbite. 

“We recommend for first aid treatment ... just like room temperature water to kind of run your hands under, your hands/feet — whatever area’s affected — for about 15 minutes,” Kersten said. 

If things don’t improve after you try to warm up those areas, Kersten said it’s important to get help.

“Especially if you develop blisters to any of the areas that were exposed to the cold, that is definitely a sign you need to seek medical attention right away,” she said.

Watch the full interview above.

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