Frostbite – Risk, Stage & Symptoms

Rigomo Team

Sun, 05 Oct 2025

Frostbite is common however it is usually underestimated condition wherein your skin gets affected after exposure to extreme cold weather conditions or cold water. The symptoms include swelling, blisters, and blackened skin. Whereas winter weather is fun, it may also be dangerous.

Frostbite can lead to a permanent issue that happens once your body tissues (like fingers, toes, and ears) are scraped by exposure to weather conditions or cold water. This usually happens during extreme chilling winter, in windy weather, and at high altitudes.

Who is at risk of developing frostbite?

If your skin is exposed to cold temperatures, you’re in danger of hurt. You’re additionally at a higher risk of developing frostbite if you:

• Have chronic disease.

• Smoke.

• Have peripheral artery disease

• Have Raynaud’s disease, a condition that involves periodic narrowing (or spasms) of the blood vessels.

• Have poor blood circulation or dehydration.

• Haven’t dressed befittingly for weather conditions or high altitude (swimming, hiking, or climbing).

• Are elderly

• Have a physical or mental condition that stops you from protecting yourself against the cold

• Have been drinking alcohol.

What are the three stages of frostbite?

Frostbite begins with delicate symptoms that may develop quickly after exposure posing a high health risk if the exposure is longer.

There are 3 stages including:

·        Frostnip is a mild type of frostbite, where the skin is red or a pale white. The skin may additionally feel cold, numb, or tingly. Frostnip is the warning stage when the symptoms remain simply temporary. Thus if you notice symptoms get within forthwith and treat the lesion with heat (never hot) water.

·        Superficial (surface) frostbite: This is the second stage where water under the skin may change the phase to ice crystals, and the skin may swell.  you may see dappled patches or purple or blue areas that hurt or burn (just sort of a bruise). Your red skin would possibly begin to peel and hurt just like sunburn — and at this point, you may need immediate medical treatment. You may get fluid-filled blisters within a day too.

·        Severe (deep) frostbite: In the third stage of deep frostbite all layers of the skin and underlying tissues are affected. The skin changes its color from healthy pink to pale white or blue-gray. The area becomes completely numb, and all sensations of cold, or pain are lost. The movement is lost as Joints or muscles may completely stop working. After rewarming, Large blisters are formed after 24 to 48 hours. The tissue dies as it becomes hardened and may need to be removed surgically. 

Symptoms of Frostbite–

Frostbite becomes severe as your skin temperature drops or the longer your skin stays exposed. The symptoms include:

• Numbness.

• A painful feeling of “pins and needles” within the exposed space.

• Hardening of your skin that’s been uncovered for too long in the cold.

• Redness (for delicate frostbite).

• Pale or waxy (for severe frostbite).

• Swelling.

• Blisters (clear or blood-filled) or scabs.

• Loss of coordination (stiff movements, falling).