Frostbite is when parts of your body freeze, like your nose, ears, cheeks, fingers, and toes. It can cause serious damage. Sometimes, it can be so bad that a doctor has to remove the frozen part.

Early signs of frostbite

• Skin turns red or purple
• Skin is painful

If you experience this, get out of the cold right away.

Other signs

• Skin turns white or grayish-yellow
• Skin feels hard, cold, or waxy
• Numbness in the frostbitten area

What to Do

If you think someone has frostbite:

• Bring them inside to a warm place.
• Do not walk on frozen feet or toes.
• Do not rub the area, it can hurt the skin.
• Put the frostbitten area in warm (not hot) water until it feels warm and turns red.
• If no water is around, use body heat to warm the area (like putting hands under armpits).
• DO NOT use stoves, fireplaces, or heating pads because they can burn the skin.

Hypothermia happens when your body gets too cold. It can happen if someone is outside in very cold weather for too long.

Signs of hypothermia in adults

• Shivering
• Feeling very tired
• Confused or acting strange
• Trouble using hands
• Can't remember things
• Talking funny (slurred speech)
• Very sleepy

Signs of hypothermia in babies

• Bright red and cold skin
• Very tired and not active

What to Do

If someone has these signs, they need help right away.

If you can’t get medical help quickly, try to warm them up slowly:

• Bring them into a warm place
• Take off any wet clothes.
• Warm the middle of their body (chest, neck, head, and groin).
• Keep them dry and wrap them in a warm blanket.
• Get medical help as soon as you can.