When Frostbite Strikes

Author's note: I am trying to be funny {and make fun of myself} but also serious at the same time. Use caution when icing!

“I have frostbite”, I said to one of my running buddies.

She looked at me, looked outside {it was 96 degrees}, and looked back at me. Obviously puzzled.

Let me explain: I have frostbite on my foot. From over-icing.

As a runner I’ve been icing various parts of my body for more years than I can remember. I’ve taken more ice baths than I care to indulge. And I’ve used everything I can get my hands on, including but not limited to: frozen water bottles, bags of peas/corn/lima beans, frozen paper cups and ice packs.

Never, not even once, have I come close to giving myself frostbite.

Until now....

I had no idea I could get frostbite or an ice burn from icing without something between my skin and ice (towel, sock, etc.). Is it just me, or does it seem like a bit of an oxymoron - if I’m trying to treat an affected area, why would I place something in between?

Well, I guess getting frostbite would be a pretty good reason to use a sock or towel.

Frostbite HURTS! Like really, really hurts. I could barely walk for 3 days. My foot doctor freaked-out when I showed him {he said that the affected skin would never be the same}. And moving forward, I have to be extra careful when icing. All that from a little ice pack.

You better believe I’ll be wearing a sock in the future.

One of 2 affected areas

Well... {ha}, I never thought I’d be writing this post in the middle of the summer but since one never knows when frostbite will strike, I’ve included some {frostbite} tips & tricks*. Always use protection when icing!

Examine the Affected Skin
If you suspect you have burned yourself with an ice pack, begin by visually inspecting the area and evaluating the extent of the damage. If the skin is tingling and red, you can safely proceed with home treatment. Also, if the area is numb, but you experience a pins-and-needles sensation as it begins to warm, you have not sustained permanent damage and can continue with self-care. However, if the area is white, cold and hard when you touch it and if it then becomes red and swollen as it warms, you need to seek professional medical assistance. This type of injury is generally followed by the formation of blisters and permanent "bruising" or skin discoloration, which indicates lasting damage and possible destruction of the blood vessels.



Rewarming
The affected areas need to be rewarmed, but this must be a gradual process or you will unintentionally inflict further harm on already delicate tissues. Submerge the burned skin in lukewarm water, between 104 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not move or massage the damaged areas, as this can cause subcutaneous ice crystals in the tissue to move and do further damage. Leave the injured skin underwater for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the skin is pink, soft and pliable again. If the temperature of the surrounding water drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, reheat it and resubmerge the affected area. This thawing process may be painful. An over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, may be taken to ease discomfort.


Treatment
Once the skin surface has returned to a normal temperature, apply a generous coating of aloe vera or honey to the burned area and cover it loosely with gauze. Both of these substances help the skin to retain moisture and increase the rate at which new skin cells are formed, decreasing recovery time for burn victims.

Prevention
In the future, should you feel the need to place an ice pack on an injury to help reduce the swelling and inflammation, wrap the pack in a towel first; do not apply it directly to the skin. Leave it in place for 10 to 20 minutes at most as any longer application drastically increases the risk of injury.


*Source