frostbite

frostbite is a trauma from exposure to freezing temperature and actual freezing of the intracellular fluid and fluids in the intercullar spaces .it results in cellular and vascular damage .Body parts frequently affected by frostbite include the feet,hands,nose,and ears.Frostbite ranges from first degree[redness and erythema] to fourth degree[full depth tissue destruction]. DIAGNOSTIC FLUIDS afrozen extremity may be hard,cold and insensitive to touch and may appear white or mottled blue-white.The extent of injury from expose to cold is not always initially known.The patient history should include environmental temperature, duration of exposure,humidity and the presence of wet conditions MANAGEMENT-The goal of management is to restore normal body temperatue .constritive clothing and jewelry that could impair circulation are removed,if the lower extrememites are involved, the patient should not be allowed to ambulate