Post by Nippy on Jan 2, 2017 21:59:12 GMT -7
BOZEMAN -
Losing a fingertip is probably not in anyone's winter plans but without proper winter weather wear frostnip or frostbite can settle in quickly.
"Frostnip is typically when people begin to experience some tingling sensation, mostly in their hands or feet, fingers or toes, and it's usually 'boy my hands feel numb or tingly," and it may even start to ache,” said Dr. Pete Sikoski, physician, and owner of East Main Medical. “Those are the ones where you go inside and start to rewarm and it really starts to hurt,”
Frostbite, however, damages the nerves and tissue causing numbness and potentially permanent damage.
"In the current weather that we're getting right now, especially with the windchills that we're experiencing, I mean you might just go out to take your dog for a 20 or 30 minute walk and then next thing you know your hands and feet are causing you a lot of pain,” Dr. Sikoski said.
People experiencing frostbite should immediately seek medical attention.
"It doesn't take much deeper tissue damage to get to the point of having to have an amputation of your fingertips or toes,” Dr. Sikoski said.
Layers of clothing and non-cotton winter materials are recommended to prevent frostbite.
"Obviously if anything gets wet you want to change those out as quickly as possible,” Aaron Bruce, a dermatologist at Montana Skin Cancer and Dermatology Center.
Another risk of extended time in freezing temperatures is hypothermia...where body temperature drops drastically.
"Hypothermia can kill you, frostbite is just typically going to cause localized tissue damage, but you know who wants to lose a finger, toe, hand, or foot,” Dr. Sikoski said.
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco can also decrease chances of developing frostnip or frostbite.
Losing a fingertip is probably not in anyone's winter plans but without proper winter weather wear frostnip or frostbite can settle in quickly.
"Frostnip is typically when people begin to experience some tingling sensation, mostly in their hands or feet, fingers or toes, and it's usually 'boy my hands feel numb or tingly," and it may even start to ache,” said Dr. Pete Sikoski, physician, and owner of East Main Medical. “Those are the ones where you go inside and start to rewarm and it really starts to hurt,”
Frostbite, however, damages the nerves and tissue causing numbness and potentially permanent damage.
"In the current weather that we're getting right now, especially with the windchills that we're experiencing, I mean you might just go out to take your dog for a 20 or 30 minute walk and then next thing you know your hands and feet are causing you a lot of pain,” Dr. Sikoski said.
People experiencing frostbite should immediately seek medical attention.
"It doesn't take much deeper tissue damage to get to the point of having to have an amputation of your fingertips or toes,” Dr. Sikoski said.
Layers of clothing and non-cotton winter materials are recommended to prevent frostbite.
"Obviously if anything gets wet you want to change those out as quickly as possible,” Aaron Bruce, a dermatologist at Montana Skin Cancer and Dermatology Center.
Another risk of extended time in freezing temperatures is hypothermia...where body temperature drops drastically.
"Hypothermia can kill you, frostbite is just typically going to cause localized tissue damage, but you know who wants to lose a finger, toe, hand, or foot,” Dr. Sikoski said.
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco can also decrease chances of developing frostnip or frostbite.