Frostbite and Hypothermia

Frostbite and hypothermia are becoming increasingly common as the popularity of extreme and outdoor sports rises and the homeless population increases. Advanced age is also associated with an increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia; thus, their incidence will likely continue to increase as the population ages. Frostbite occurs when there is sufficient heat loss to produce ice crystals within either superficial or deep flesh. Hypothermia is defined as an involuntary drop in body temperature to below 35°C, but a useful functional definition is a decrease in temperature that results in an inability of the body to maintain its natural functions. This review details the assessment and stabilization, diagnosis, and treatment and disposition for frostbite and hypothermia. Figures show factors that may predispose individuals to developing frostbite, long-term consequences of severe frostbite, and an approach for pleural cavity lavage. Tables list factors that increase the risk of frostbite, degrees of frostbite, three phases of frostbite, and staging of hypothermia. This review contains 3 highly rendered figures, 4 tables, and 71 references.