Extreme cold brings frostbite warning

With the frigid temperatures outside, it is important to keep an eye out for frostbite.

It is crucial to keep skin covered when exposed to the cold air outdoors, especially your hands, feet and head.

Parts of the body affected by frostbite may turn paler and colder than normal. There is also a chance for pain, burning, numbness, swelling and more.

Kay Smith, a health educator with the City of St. Joseph Health Department, said that people of all ages are susceptible to frostbite, although young children and elderly adults are at a higher risk.

“Children that can’t tell you ‘Hey, I’m really cold,’ they are more susceptible to frostbite,” Smith said. “And then, of course, your elderly because it’s harder to regulate their body temperature. Also, anybody that has had diabetes that has had frostbite before, you’re prone to get frostbite again quicker.”

Smith said that the amount of time it takes to get frostbite varies by person, but in the current weather, it can set in after just 15 to 30 minutes of cold exposure.

Smith said protecting extremities is key.

“You definitely want to keep your hands warm,” Smith said. “And sometimes you can even wear like latex gloves to help keep that heat inside with regular gloves. That, if you’re working outside, that’s kind of a trick that people can use.”

To treat frostbite, experts recommend getting out of cold clothes as fast as possible once indoors and gradually warming the affected areas.