Is your little one suffering from skin problems due to the extreme cold? Let's talk about Frostbite and Frostnip!

We all love to travel with our little ones to colder places, sometimes to places like Nuwara Eliya or even abroad during the cold season. When we do, our little ones can sometimes have a little trouble due to the extreme cold. Frostbite is the damage that can happen to their skin at such times. It is also called frostnip. It is very important to know about these things, because then we can protect our children. Let's talk about this in a little more detail today, shall we?

What is Frostbite? Let's understand a little bit.

Simply put, frostbite is when our skin is exposed to extreme cold, that is, when we get caught in the cold, the skin freezes and becomes damaged. Just like water freezes in extreme cold, the cells in our skin also start to freeze in extreme cold. It is as if part of our skin has "frozen". Sometimes this damage is not limited to the skin. It can also affect the deeper tissues (tissues) under the skin, that is, the muscles and bones. If this happens, the condition can be quite serious, so it is very important to take care of this.

How do you recognize frostbite when it occurs? What are the symptoms?

Now let's look at the symptoms of frostbite in a child. If you recognize these early, you can start treatment quickly.

Usually, when this happens, the child's affected skin turns white or yellowish-gray, and looks like wax . The area may also become numb and lose all sensation. It may feel hard like stone or wood to the touch. It's as if the skin is lifeless.

Although anyone can get this condition, young children are at a slightly higher risk than adults. There are several reasons for this, and it's good for you to know:

• Young children lose heat from their bodies more quickly. This means they get cold more quickly than adults. Their body heat is lost to the environment more quickly.
• The other thing is, when little ones go out to play, even if it's cold, they don't really want to stop and come inside to warm up. They're focused on playing. By saying, "I'll wait a little longer, Mom," their skin can be exposed to the extreme cold for too long without realizing it.

What to do if you get frostbite? Quick treatment is important!

Okay, now imagine that if you suspect something like this has happened to your little one, the most important thing is not to panic, not to panic, and to act quickly. Your quick actions can prevent major damage.

• See a doctor as soon as possible or take your child to a hospital emergency room . This is something that you absolutely must do. Don't delay.
• If the injury is to the legs, pick up the child and leave. Never allow the child to walk on frostbitten legs, as this can cause further tissue damage.
• Move the child to a warm, dry environment as soon as possible, and change all wet clothes from the bed and put them in dry clothes . The longer the child is in wet clothes, the colder they will become.

Now, if you can't get to the hospital right away, or if you have to wait a while for an ambulance to arrive, it's a good idea to give your child something to drink, such as warm, sweet tea . At the same time, start doing these first aid tips:

Very important: Do not thaw frozen areas that are at risk for refreezing until you can see a doctor. This is because thawing and refreezing can cause serious tissue damage. This means that if you are in a very cold place and have to thaw and go back outside, do not do it. Only thaw after you have gone to a safe, warm place.

• Soak the cold sore in lukewarm water, between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius (100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit), for about 15 to 30 minutes . Don't put it in hot water right away. The water temperature should be comfortable for your elbow.
• If you can't find lukewarm water, wrap the baby in warm blankets or use your body heat to warm the area, like holding an injured hand between your hands.
• Never touch the burn with a heat pad, a hot water bottle, or anything else that is too hot. This is because the skin is numb at that time and you won't feel the burn. This can cause the burn to get worse.
• Do not rub frostbite or rub it with snow. Doing so can cause further damage.
• As the skin warms up again (rewarming), the area may feel a burning, stinging, or prickly sensation . There may be blisters and swelling . The skin may also turn red, blue, or purple . Don't worry if you see these, as this is normal as the blood supply returns.
• The area is said to be thawed when the skin turns pink, becomes soft, and loses its tingling sensation .
• If you have sterile dressings , gently cover the area with them. But don't tie them too tightly . If the condition is between the toes, apply these dressings between the toes as well, to prevent the toes from rubbing together.
• If you have blisters, don't pop them. They help protect the skin. It's also important to keep the wounds clean to prevent infections .
• Keep the warmed areas well covered to prevent them from getting cold again. Also, tell the child to keep the areas as still as possible.
• If you have proper first aid training , placing a splint on the injured area can help reduce further damage . But don't do this if you don't know how.

How to avoid this severe frostbite? Prevention methods

"Prevention is better than cure." That is, it is better to prevent the disease from developing than to treat it. So how do we protect our little ones from frostbite?

• First, always be aware of the weather forecast. On a day with extreme cold and strong winds, even a short time outside can lead to frostbite. So think twice about taking your little ones outside on such days.
• When going outside, dress your children in several layers of warm clothes. Layering clothes helps keep them warm, rather than wearing one thick layer.
• Inner layer: It's best to use a moisture-wicking fabric, like polypropylene. Cotton clothes don't dry quickly if they get wet.
• Middle layer: Something like fleece or wool that can retain heat.
• Outer layer: Should be windproof and waterproof.
• Also, wear a good warm hat (the head is where most of the heat is lost), gloves or mittens (the fingers are joined together, so they are warmer) , a scarf , thick socks, and well-insulated, waterproof boots . The parts of the body most susceptible to frostbite are the ears, nose, cheeks, hands, and feet.
• Even if the children are playing, don't forget to bring them inside and warm them up at least once every hour, or even every half hour . Give them a warm drink.
• If your child's clothes or shoes get wet, change them as soon as possible. They feel much colder when they are wearing wet clothes.
• If you are going to a remote, difficult area with few facilities, prepare emergency supplies (e.g. extra dry clothes, blankets, a first aid kit, hot drinks). Also, share your travel details with family and friends.
• If possible, take a first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) class. This will give you a good understanding of what to do in an emergency. This is something that is invaluable for life.

What is Frostnip? Is it as bad as Frostbite?

Now let's talk about Frostnip. Frostnip is also damage to the skin due to cold, but it is not as severe as Frostbite. It is a milder condition. It can also be called the first, superficial form of Frostbite. Here the skin does not freeze, but reacts to the cold.

This usually affects areas of skin that are exposed to cold, such as the cheeks, nose, ears, and fingertips. These areas may become red, sometimes pale, and may feel numb or tingly. There may also be a slight burning sensation.

The good news is that frostnip can be treated at home and heals quickly when rewarmed. There is no permanent damage to the skin.

What are the home treatments for frostnip?

Okay, if you think your little one has frostnip, there's no need to panic. Here are some things to do:

• First, quickly bring the child indoors, to a warm place.
• Take off all wet clothes, as wet clothes will cause you to lose even more body heat.
• Soak the cold body parts in lukewarm (not hot) water for about 20 to 30 minutes , until the numbness disappears and normal sensation returns. Keep the water temperature between 38-40 Celsius, as mentioned for frostbite.

Important: Do not let your child control the temperature of the water when reheating. Because numb hands cannot feel the heat properly, their hands can be severely burned by water that is too hot. Check the temperature of the water yourself.

• You can also use your own body heat to warm up cold areas. For example, you can hold your child's cold hands under your armpits.
• Do not use heating pads, stoves, fireplaces, or radiators to warm yourself up, as the skin is numb at that time and can easily burn.

If the tingling doesn't go away after a few hours of treatment, if the pain is severe, or if you have signs of frostbite, such as skin discoloration and blisters, you should definitely see a doctor. It could be a more serious condition than frostnip.

Some important things to remember

So, I hope this discussion about Frostbite and Frostnip has helped you remember some of the most important things. Although these are very simple things, this knowledge is invaluable in an emergency.

• When sending children outside in cold weather, keep them well covered and warm. Several layers of clothing, hats, gloves, and shoes are essential.
• If your child's skin becomes pale, waxy, numb, or hard, it could be frostbite. If this happens , seek medical advice immediately.
• Do not warm the frostbite area directly with fire or heaters, except with lukewarm water.
• Do not rub or ice damaged skin.
• Frostnip is a mild condition that can be treated at home, but if symptoms persist, see a doctor.
• Prevention is always the best option. So take the necessary steps to protect yourself from the cold. Always monitor your children.

Your child's safety and health are the most important thing. So by being aware of these things, you will be able to act correctly in an emergency without panicking. Wishing everyone good health!

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