Hand frostbite

Introduction When the skin comes into contact with very cold air or objects, causing vasospasm, congestion, and swelling, this is frostbite. Serious frostbite may cause blisters or even ulceration. The degree of damage is directly related to the intensity of the cold, wind speed, humidity, freezing time, and local and systemic conditions. In the cold season, it is often difficult to cure quickly. It will not heal until the weather turns warm. To reduce the occurrence of frostbite, the key is to prevent it before winter. In addition, the hand touched the freezer of the refrigerator can also cause frostbite.

Cause

The temperature suddenly drops and the blood flow in the peripheral blood vessels becomes slow. When the temperature is lower than 10 degrees Celsius, the subcutaneous arterioles in the above-mentioned parts are cold contracted, and the venous return is not smooth. Under certain conditions, the skin acts on the human body due to cold, causing local or even systemic damage. The degree of damage is directly related to the intensity of cold, wind speed, humidity, freezing time and local and systemic status. In winter, the amount of activity is small, blood circulation and metabolism are slowed down, especially the back of the hand, ears and feet are prone to blood stasis. Tissue necrosis.

an examination

Related inspection

Blood test skin test

Diagnosis: The lesion is a pruritic localized edematous erythema with unclear boundaries and blisters, erosions and ulcers. The first and second degree of damage is lighter, only the skin is shallow or full layer, local redness, itching, tingling or blisters, and no scars after healing. Third-degree and fourth-degree injuries are heavier. In addition to the skin, it also damages the subcutaneous tissue and even the muscles. The local skin changes from pale to black, the feeling disappears and even the motor function is lost, and different degrees of tissue necrosis occur. Or maimed.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of hand frostbite:

Frostbite: from the beginning to the limit of broad bean to nail cover size purple red mass or induration, the edge is bright red, the center is blue purple, the touch is cold, the pressure fades, the recovery is slow after pressing, the conscious part has a feeling of swelling, itching, after the heat Even worse, severe cases may have blisters, ulcers formed after rupture, and prolonged unhealed.

Diagnosis: The lesion is a pruritic localized edematous erythema with unclear boundaries and blisters, erosions and ulcers.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.