Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
Font Size
A
A
A

Frostbite Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • A part of the person's body or skin is turning white and hard or black.
  • The person has lack of feeling in the area.
  • The person shows signs of hypothermia.

See Hypothermia Treatment.

1. Seek Medical Care Promptly

  • See a doctor or go to a hospital emergency room.

 

2. Restore Warmth

Until you can see a doctor:

  • Get the person to a warm place.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, the person should not walk on frostbitten toes or feet.
  • Do not rewarm the skin until you can keep it warm. Warming and then re-exposing the frostbitten area to cold air can cause worse damage.
  • Gently warm the area in warm water or with wet heat until the skin appears red and warm.
  • If no water is nearby, breathe on the area through cupped hands and hold it next to your body.
  • Do not use direct heat from heating pads, radiator, or fires.
  • Do not rub or massage the skin or break blisters.

 

3. Bandage the Area

  • Loosely apply dry, sterile dressings.
  • Put gauze or clean cotton balls between fingers or toes to keep them separated.

 

4. Follow Up

Once you get medical care, the next steps depend on the particular case.

  • At the hospital, a doctor will rewarm the area.
  • The doctor may administer medication for pain or intravenous fluids if the person is dehydrated.
  • The person may be hospitalized for a few days.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

View Article Sources Sources
Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 27, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

FIRST AID A-Z

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

WebMD the app

Get first aid information. Whenever. Wherever... with your iPhone, iPad or Android.

Find Out More