Frostbite can permanently damage the body and, in extreme cases, lead to amputation. People are most susceptible to frostbite if they suffer from pre-existing conditions that cause poor blood circulation. Those who do not dress appropriately for cold weather are also at risk.

How do you know if frostbite is serious?

Your skin may begin to feel warm — a sign of serious skin involvement. If you treat frostbite with rewarming at this stage, the surface of your skin may appear mottled. And you may notice stinging, burning and swelling. A fluid-filled blister may appear 12 to 36 hours after rewarming the skin.

When should I be worried about frostbite?

Tissue injury is greatest when cooling is slow, cold exposure is prolonged, the rate of rewarming is slow, and, especially, when tissue is partially thawed and refreezes. If the frostbitten areas do not look normal after thawing, you should get to a hospital as soon as possible.