Frostbite vs. Hypothermia Differences in Symptoms, Signs, and Stages: Frostbite and hypothermia are two real dangers from cold exposure. Aside from cold exposure, risk factors for frostbite and hypothermia is alcohol consumption. Fingers, toes, ears, and nose are the first parts to freeze. Treatment for frost bite and hypothermia includes warming the person.
Frostbite occurs when the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. For the body to continue functioning under these conditions, blood circulation moves to the internal organs and brain, and away from the skin and extremities, for example, the fingers, hands, toes, and feet. The lack of blood circulation to these body parts causes frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when the body is exposed to extremely cold conditions over a prolonged period, and as a result the body temperature becomes dangerously low (95 F or 35 C).
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Cold Hands and Feet
When parts of your body get too cold, like your hands, feet, and sometimes other parts of the body, especially your ears and nose, they can be injured or react in different ways. Symptoms and signs of cold hands and feet include loss of sensation, numbness, tingling, itching, burning, unusual color of the affected area, and blistering. Types of cold injury include: frostbite, frostnip, immersion, pernio, Raynaud's phenomenon, cryoglobulins, and cold urticaria. The best treatment is rapid rewarming in the emergency department. -
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Frostbite
Frostbite is a condition caused by skin exposed over a long period of time to cold exposure. Frostbite symptoms include burning, numbness, tingling, itching, and cold sensations in the affected areas. Deep frostbite there may be complete loss of sensation. Treatment of frostbite is best under medical supervision to minimize tissue damage. -
Gangrene
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Hand Injuries
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Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the normal body temperature of 95 F (35 C) or lower. Causes of hypothermia include exposure to a very cold or frigid environment (primary hypothermia), or when the body's temperature is altered by disease (secondary hypothermia). Treatment of hypothermia depends on the length of exposure. -
Insulin Reaction
An insulin reaction occurs when an individual with diabetes experiences hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and becomes confused or unconscious. Causes of insulin reaction include improper medication dosing, exercise, or skipping meals. Common symptoms of a mild insulin reaction include dizziness, irritability, hunger, shakiness, rapid heart beat, and sweating. Treatment is generally sugar drinks, tablets, or wafers and monitoring insulin levels. -
Raynaud Phenomenon
Raynaud's syndrome (also called Raynaud's phenomenon) is a blood vessel disorder. The smooth muscle in the walls of arteries contract, causing "vasospasms" of the small vessels that supply blood to the extremities. The typical features of include changes in the color of skin from pale to bluish to red, which typically occur after exposure to cold temperatures. The disorder is sometimes referred to as "white fingers disease." -
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An insulin reaction occurs when an individual with diabetes experiences hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and becomes confused or unconscious. Causes of insulin reaction include improper medication dosing, exercise, or skipping meals. Common symptoms of a mild insulin reaction include dizziness, irritability, hunger, shakiness, rapid heart beat, and sweating. Treatment is generally sugar drinks, tablets, or wafers and monitoring insulin levels.
Frostbite vs. Hypothermia Differences in Symptoms, Signs, and Stages Topic Guide - Visuals
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