The body's exposure to severe cold causes various symptoms that can lead to gangrene. Although frostbite is generally only seen at -13 degrees, the freezing point of the skin is around -1 degree. A strong wind, humidity, and the chilling of the whole body can cause frostbite at lower temperatures, such as -5 degrees; In fact, if a person is forced to keep his feet in a wet place for a long time without moving much, and if wet shoes disrupt blood circulation to a great extent, frostbite or gangrene may occur at temperatures above zero degrees.
- Freezing causes burns. It has three degrees:
1) Redness on the skin surface
2) Swelling and blisters occur.
3) Death.
The frozen ground first turns yellow and fades; then it becomes purplish red due to vascular paralysis; swelling, scratching and burning occur. In more severe frostbite, excessive swelling (edema) on the skin and blisters like in burns occur. As the freezing progresses, the tissue begins to be destroyed, the permeability of the capillaries increases, and the plug formed as a result of the fusion of red blood cells blocks the small vessels. Thus, gangrene occurs after the tissues become bloodless. A drop in body temperature below 31 degrees causes irreversible conditions, including cardiac arrest and death due to cerebral hemorrhage. The hands, feet, fingers, nose and ears are the ones most at risk of freezing. Once frostbite begins, it progresses rapidly. Small ice crystals form in the tissues of fingers, nose, cheeks and ears. If the freezing can be stopped immediately during this period, it will be overcome with a slight reddening.
As the first sign of freezing, the frozen part often becomes pale, white and numb, and a severe, stinging pain begins on the skin. Later, the numbness increases and becomes numbness. Weakness, not being sufficiently and appropriately dressed, vascular disorders, diabetes, prepare for freezing.
To protect from freezing, dressing appropriately against the cold is the first priority. Woolen clothes have more heating power. Fingerless gloves are better. Since wetness makes freezing easier, extreme care should be taken to ensure that clothing is dry; It's especially bad for your feet to get wet. to the situation Woolen caps that cover the ears, cheeks and nose can be worn depending on the situation. One should avoid smoking in the cold, it constricts the veins. It is useful to apply oily substances to exposed areas against the cold. Some people turn to drinks such as cognac and vodka when it is cold. This is very dangerous; because the veins expand, the warm blood in the inner parts comes out and cools down faster.
- How to Save a Freezing Person?
The freezing place Heating is the first precaution. It is not right to just rub it with snow or heat it quickly. The frozen area should be covered with a clean bandage and wrapped with layers of wool. Heating too intensely causes reaction in the veins, reddening, and increases swelling and pain. The best thing to do is to keep the frozen part at 20 degrees first and then increase the temperature. If vascular expansion is slow, vasodilator drugs such as alcohol, papaverine, priscol can be given.
Frozen areas should be treated like a wound. Blisters should not be burst, wound powders should be applied on them and covered with sterile gauze. Antibiotics and painkillers are given as a preventive measure.
If frostbite covers the whole body, the patient should take a bath within 2 hours, the temperature of which is gradually increased from 16 degrees to 30 degrees. One should be aware of the danger of gangrene, and medical check-up should never be neglected.
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