Next Steps

Follow-up

Follow-up care for cold injuries includes the following:

• Protect the injured area from further damage
  
  
• Elevate the injured area
  
  
• Take medications as prescribed by the doctor
  
  
• Practice good nutrition
  
  
• Avoid smoking
  
  
• Check the wound periodically
  
  
• Infection: If there are any signs of infection, such as increased pain or redness, increased swelling, fever, pus, or red streaks, you should return to the Emergency Department or your doctor’s office immediately.
  
  
• For more detailed information on frostbite and other cold injuries, click on this presentation from the author and the Wilderness Medical Society.