Exposure to below-freezing temperatures can cause frostbite, a rare but serious condition that needs emergency medical care. Frostbite can affect any area of the skin, and in extreme cold can develop within minutes. Signs and Symptoms aching pain or numbness, most often on hands, feet, face, and ears skin that feels hard and waxy, with a white or grayish yellow color What to Do If you think your child has frostbite, call the doctor right away. Then: Bring your child indoors immediately. Do not try to thaw frostbite unless you're in a warm place (warming and then re-exposing frozen skin to cold can cause permanent damage). Remove wet clothing. Don't rub frostbitten areas — treat them gently. Don't use dry heat — such as a fireplace, oven, or heating pad — to thaw frostbite. Don't break any blisters. Warm the frostbitten parts in warm (not hot) water for about 30 minutes. Place clean cotton balls between frostbitten fingers and toes after they've been warmed. Loosely wrap warmed areas with clean bandages to prevent refreezing. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Get Emergency Medical Care if Your Child Has: an area of skin that is turning white and hard Think Prevention! Stay updated on weather forecasts. Keep kids warm and dry in cold weather. Loose-fitting, layered warm clothes are best. Have kids wear well-insulated boots, thick socks, hats, scarves, and mittens. Ice packs applied directly to the skin can cause frostbite — always cover ice packs with a cloth before applying to the skin. Back to Articles Related Articles Frostbite and Frostnip You can help prevent frostbite in cold weather by dressing kids in layers, making sure they come indoors at regular intervals, and watching for frostnip, frostbite's early warning signal. Read More Word! Frostbite Brrrrr . . . pass the hat and mittens, please! 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 Stay Safe Center Go outside! Just be safe out there. Find out how to handle stinging bugs, thunderstorms, sunny days, and icy cold days, too. 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 and get exercise, but it has some very real dangers. These safety tips can help keep your family safe on the slopes. 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 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: 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 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 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.