Treatment

Rapid rewarming in a warm (100 to 110°F) water bath is the treatment of choice. Slow rewarming may cause more tissue damage.

If you are stranded with frostbite and unable to get medical help:

• Try to get to a warm location. Wrap yourself in blankets.
• Do not put snow or hot water on the injured area.
• Do not rub affected areas.
• Tuck your hands into your armpits to try to rewarm them.
• If it's available, use warm water (at about 105°F [40°C]) to rewarm your frostbitten area.
• Avoid refreezing the affected area. This can result in more severe injury.
• Walking on frozen feet and toes can cause damage. It may be more important to find shelter.
• Drink warm liquids.
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives.
• Cover the injured area with a clean cloth until you can get medical help.
• Rewarming can be intensely painful. To relieve pain take:
  • Aspirin
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

If you're able to get medical assistance, treatment may include moving you to a warm place and wrapping you in blankets. The injured body part may be soaked in warm (not hot) water.

Other treatments may include:

• Opening and emptying blisters.
• Taking antibiotics.
• Taking pain medication.
• Keeping the injured body part elevated above your heart.
• Getting a tetanus booster shot .
• Receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy . This is a special chamber under greater pressure than normal. It will help with blood flow and tissue repair.
• Amputation of all or part of the affected body part. This may be necessary in severe frostbite cases.

If you are diagnosed with frostbite, follow your doctor's instructions .