Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Offers Tips for Avoiding Frostbite in Freezing Temps
Doctors recommend dressing in layers and keeping dry as temperatures dip below freezing across the Chicago area.
Although the Chicago area has been experiencing a mild winter so far, it’s still possible to get frostbite from prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures. Frostbite occurs when the skin and body tissue are exposed to cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. Wet skin or clothing, combined with wind, accelerate the injury process. People with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease are at a higher risk for developing this condition. Look for these symptoms: “Frostbite progresses in stages just like a thermal burn, so numbness appears before deeper injury and should be a signal to take corrective action, such as seeking warm shelter,” said Dr. George Geis, emergency physician on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and …
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