Even on a sunny day, wind can make the air feel colder than it is, a major risk factor for windburn and frostbite. (Falak Sharma, CMRU.ca)
Recognizing the signs
Winter is just around the corner, and with it come cold temperatures. Exposure to cold weather can lead to serious health issues if students are not aware of the symptoms. These health issues include:
- Wind burn
- Frostbite
- Hypothermia
How they look
The regular temperature of the human body is around 37 C (99 F). When that temperature drops by 1 or 2 C or exposure to extreme cold occurs, the chances of health issues can increase.
Windburn is a skin reaction that occurs in extremely cold conditions. It occurs when cold wind takes off the top layer of oil from the skin. If exposure to wind burn happens, the symptoms can be:
- Excessive dryness (tight or flaking skin)
- Redness
- Soreness
- Itchiness
Treatment: Apply a protective moisturizer or lip balm and use a scarf to reduce exposure.
Frostbite is a fear of many Canadians facing harsh winters. It happens when blood vessels near the surface of the skin shrink to protect the body’s core temperature. Due to the location, hands, toes, ears, and noses are the first to fall victim to frostbite. The symptoms to look out for are:
Early/mild frostbite
- Yellow, red, or white skin
- Firm or waxy skin
- Tingling or numbing sensations
Severe frostbite
- Darker discoloured skin turning black
- Complete loss of feeling after exposure to warmth
- Blistering
Severe frostbite requires direct medical attention.
Treatment: Moving to a warm setting. Thawing in water just above body temperature.
Hypothermia is the last one to look out for. It can happen when extreme cold causes the body temperature to drop. Hypothermia happens in 3 different stages.
Stage 1:
- Body shivers
- Goosebumps on skin
- Numbing hands
- Quick and shallow breaths
- Nausea or drowsiness
Stage 2:
- Strong shivering
- Uncoordinated muscles
- Mild confusion
- Pale or blue skin
If the thumb and pinky cannot be touched, stage two is present.
Stage 3:
- Shivering stops
- Trouble speaking and walking
- Blue and puffy skin
- Decreased breathing
Stages two and three require medical attention.
Treatment: Keep moving and find warm shelter, drinks, and dry clothes.
Sudden cold weather always feels like a surprise, but staying prepared with warm winter gear can prevent health issues from arising. Layering correctly can also aid in health issue prevention. To learn more about health issues caused by extreme cold, visit CCOHS
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