Frostbite: Symptoms, Severity Levels, and Treatment

Recognizing the different degrees of frostbite is essential to treating it, and treating it may save a finger, toe, arm or leg.

Things You'll Need

• First Aid Kits

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Instructions

• 1

  Check for sensation. Numbness might indicate frostbite.

• 2

  Look at the affected body part. If a very small area appears white and waxy or gray and mottled but feels normal to the touch, it probably has frostnip. Warm the affected area at once.

• 3

  Look for a more advanced stage - a body part with the appearance of frostnip but hard on the surface and soft below. This is probably superficial frostbite. Treat accordingly.

• 4

  Check for yet more serious frostbite, indicated by a large discolored area - purple in the most severe cases - that feels hard all the way through. Treat accordingly.