The Quiz: Do You Know What to Do About Frostbite?

Frostbite is an emergency situation. If you can't get to medical care immediately, you'll have to treat it yourself. Would you know what to do? Take this quiz and find out:

Questions:

1. True or False - Frostbite can occur in above-zero temperatures.

2. True or False - Frostbite mostly affects the extremities--toes, fingers, nose and ears.

3. True or False - Frostbitten skin can turn black.

4. True or False - Tissue damage, meaning dead skin or extremities, occurs within the first three hours of exposure.

5. True or False - You should rub the affected area with ice.

6. 6. True or False - If your hands are frostbitten but you think they might refreeze, leave them frozen until you get emergency help.

Answers:

1. TRUE: Frostbite can occur in above-zero temperatures if your skin is exposed for more than a few minutes and, especially, if your skin gets wet. Watch out at very low temperatures. Exposed skin can freeze within one minute at minus 20 degrees F.

2. TRUE: The extremities are usually the first to be affected by extreme cold, but frostbite can actually affect any part of the body. Believe it or not, your body is actually trying to survive when frostbite attacks your fingers and toes. Your body's main concern is keeping your vital organs--heart, lungs, kidneys, liver--alive by receiving nutrients via your warm blood. So in severe cold, your body sends signals to restrict the blood vessels in your arms and legs. This way, the warm blood is circulated to your vital organs. Also, your body maintains its internal temperature (98.6 degrees F.) by exposing less blood to the cold through the skin. At some point, the brain decides that enough is enough, and it "orders" a permanent restriction of blood to your extremities. This is when frostbite begins.

3. TRUE: Sounds gross, but it's true. To put it simply, there are basically two different stages of frostbite. During superficial frostbite, the affected areas--besides feeling numbness, burning, itching or tingling sensations--appear white and frozen. But if you press on them, they don't feel hard. However, in deep frostbite, the affected areas look white or yellowish and waxy. As the skin re-warms, it may turn a purplish blue and then black. When you touch the skin, it feels hard.

4. FALSE: The extent of frostbite damage may not be known for weeks or months. This can be deceptive. Cell damage occurs from continuing inflammation after the initial injury. Only time will tell how much damage has taken place.

5. FALSE! For G-d sakes, never rub a frostbitten area with anything, let alone ice. (Whoever came up this idea anyway?) First aid treatment for frostbite includes getting out of the cold fast and warming the affected area with another warmer part of the body (such as your hands under your armpits). If possible, soak the area in warm-not hot-water. Always seek emergency care.

6. TRUE: You will do more damage if the frostbitten areas are thawed out and re-frozen. Either protect them the best you can and get to the ER. If the areas have been thawed, wrap them up so they don't refreeze.

How did you do?

6 correct-Are you an EMT? Not fair.

5-6 correct-You're hot on the subject of frostbite

3-5 correct-You're getting colder....

0-2 correct-Baby, it's cold outside. And you should stay in.

Sources:

MayoClinic.com

eMedicineHealth.com