Rewarming does restore sensation and normal colour of the skin without long-term effects. Discolouration and changes in sensation do not typically result in extensive damage (like necrosis / tissue death) which is irreversible / permanent. Frostnip is most typically experienced in the earlobes, cheeks, fingers and toes. Once the skin is warmed, tingling sensations and or / itching, burning and pain may be experienced, as blood flow rushes back to the affected areas. Exposure to cold that lingers causes the skin to experience sensation changes – numbness and or / prickling occur in the affected portions of the body. In either instance, the skin feels very cold and waxy to the touch. It all begins with skin discolouration – the skin may turn pale or redden.
Tissue damage is considered mild / superficial.
What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite? To understand the nature of frostbite signs and symptoms, it is best to learn how to recognise the stages of tissues affected by the freezing process… The initial stage of frostbite > frostnip:
