What Is Frostbite?

Frostbite is a skin injury caused by freezing temperatures. Sometimes it also injures deeper tissue. Serious frostbite can go all the way down to the muscles and bones.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Frostbite?

Children with frostbite get white, waxy skin that feels numb and hard.

Anyone can get frostbite, but kids are at greater risk for it than adults because:

  • Kids lose heat from their skin faster.
  • Kids often don't want to leave their winter fun to go inside and warm up.

How Is Frostbite Treated?

  • Call the doctor right away or take your child to a hospital emergency room.
  • If the feet are affected, carry your child. Do not let your child walk on frostbitten feet.
  • Get your child into dry clothing in a warm environment.

If you can't get to a hospital right away or must wait for an ambulance, give your child a warm drink and begin first-aid treatment:

  • Do not thaw the frostbitten area if it's at risk for refreezing before you get to a health care provider. Skin that is thawed then refrozen again can cause severe tissue damage.
  • Put frozen areas in warm water (around 100°F [38°C]). If warm water is not available, wrap your child gently in warm blankets or use your body heat on the affected area.
  • Do not use direct heat such as a fire or heating pad. The skin may be numb and can burn easily.
  • Do not rub frostbitten skin or rub snow on it.
  • Rewarming will bring on a burning sensation. Skin may blister and swell and may turn red, blue, or purple. When skin is pink and no longer numb, the area is thawed.
  • If you have sterile dressings, put them on the area (be sure it's not too tight), placing it between fingers and toes if they are affected. Try not to disturb any blisters and keep the wound areas clean to prevent infection.
  • Wrap rewarmed areas to prevent refreezing, and have your child keep thawed areas as still as possible. If you have the proper first-aid training, splinting the affected area can help reduce the risk of further injury.

Can Frostbite Be Prevented?

To help prevent frostbite in cold weather:

  • Stay updated on weather forecasts. If it's extremely cold, even brief exposure to cold can cause frostbite.
  • Dress kids in layered warm clothes. Use hats, gloves, scarves, thick socks, and well-insulated boots to cover body parts that are most at risk for frostbite. Inner clothing layers that absorb moisture and outer layers that are windproof and waterproof are best.
  • Make sure kids come indoors regularly to warm up.
  • Change kids out of wet clothing or shoes as soon as possible.
  • If you travel to a remote area, make sure you have proper supplies in case of emergencies and let family or friends know your travel plans.
  • Take a first-aid and CPR class to learn what to do in an emergency.

What Is Frostnip?

Frostnip is a milder form of cold injury. It usually affects areas of skin exposed to the cold, such as the cheeks, nose, ears, fingers, and toes, leaving them red and numb or tingly. Frostnip can be treated at home and gets better with rewarming.

How Is Frostnip Treated?

Bring your child indoors right away. Then:

  • Remove all wet clothing. Wet clothes draw heat away from the body.
  • Place chilled parts of the body in warm (not hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes until all sensation returns. Don't let your child control the water temperature during rewarming. Numb hands won't feel the heat and can be severely burned by water that is too hot. You also can use your body heat to rewarm cold areas.
  • Don't use heating pads, stoves, fireplaces, or radiators to rewarm because the affected skin can be numb and easily burn.

Call your doctor if sensation does not return or your child has signs of frostbite.

Back to Articles

Related Articles

First Aid: Frostbite

Exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, a serious condition that requires emergency care. Here's what to do if your child has frostbite.

Read More

Safety Tips: Skiing

Skiing is fun but also has some very real dangers. Make sure your kids follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes.

Read More

Safety Tips: Sledding

Sledding is a lot of fun, but can also cause injuries, some of them pretty serious. To keep your kids safe while sledding, make sure they follow these safety tips.

Read More

Safety Tips: Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a great way to have fun and get exercise, but it has some very real dangers. These safety tips can help keep your family safe on the slopes.

Read More

Word! Hypothermia

Hypothermia is when the body gets so cold that it can't warm itself up again.

Read More

Safety Tips: Hockey

As fun as it is, ice hockey carries a very real risk of injury. To find out how to stay as safe as possible, follow these tips.

Read More

Safety Tips: Hockey

As fun as it is, ice hockey carries a very real risk of injury. To keep your kids as safe as possible, follow these tips.

Read More

How to Be Safe in Ice and Snow

Winter is a fun time of year. But while you're out having fun, you have to know how to be safe. Check out our article for kids to learn how to stay safe in snow and cold weather.

Read More

Knowing Your Child's Medical History

In an emergency, health care professionals will have many questions about a patient's medical history. It's easy to compile this information now, and it could save critical minutes later.

Read More

Cold, Ice, and Snow Safety

In ice and snow, accidents can happen easily. Find out how to keep your family safe - and fit - while the weather is chilly.

Read More

Safety Tips: Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a great way to have fun, but it can also present some very real dangers. Follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes.

Read More

Safety Tips: Skiing

There's a lot to love about skiing, but it can also present some very real dangers. Follow these tips to stay safe on the slopes.

Read More

Safety Tips: Sledding

Sledding is a lot of fun, but can also cause injuries, some of them pretty serious. To keep yourself safe while sledding, follow these safety tips.

Read More

First-Aid Kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept in easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Learn where you should keep a kit and what to put in it.

Read More

Winter Sports: Sledding, Skiing, Snowboarding, Skating

You'll have more fun if you stay safe in the cold and snow. Find out how in this article for kids.

Read More

What You Need to Know in an Emergency

In an emergency, it's hard to think clearly about your kids' health information. Here's what important medical information you should have handy, just in case.

Read More

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.