1:50 AM
Mommy Edna Reyes
| Give your child proper body coverings when exposed to colds |
Frostbite may look like an ordinary heat burn but it is actually some body tissues frozen and in severe cases "dead" caused by below zero temperature.Most often frostbite affect the toes, fingers, earlobes, chin and the tip of the nose.
Frostbite can be prevented by layering your clothes rather than wearing bulky clothing. Thin layers of clothing gives more warmth as thin layers of clothing create air spaces that trap body temperature close to the skin and act as insulation for the body against cold. It is also good to have your child wear 2 or 3 pairs of thin socks than the bulky one.
Lessen your alcohol intake and don't smoke. Alcohol causes the body to lose heat quickly smoking slows down blood circulation. to the extremities.
Stay indoors as much as possible when it is very cold and windy.When your child have to go out, shield his face and other parts that can be exposed to cold and the wind.
When your child have been exposed to cold temperature, check for the following:
1. Skin that swells and feels hard and solid
2. Loss of function and absence of pain when pinched hard
3.Skin color changing from white to red to purple
4.presence of blisters
5. Slurred speech and
6. confusion
When all of these are present the following self care tips may help.
1.If the your child does not respond, do the CPR
2. Get him out of the cold and into a warmer place
3.Remove wet clothing and tight clothing
4.Warm the affected area by soaking it a tub of warm water and antiseptic. Water temperature should be between 101 and 104 Fahrenheit.
5.Don't rub it with snow or soak it in cold water
6.Stop the soaking when the are becomes red(soaking should be 45 minutes and when done too fast, thawing may be painful and blister may appear.
7.If warm water is not available,put the frozen part in warm blanket or in warm body parts such as under the armpit and abdomen
8. Keep the affected area elevated but properly protected
9.Never rub or massage frostbitten areas
10.Don't break blister.
If the symptoms persist, call for help and seek medical assistance.
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