Cold injuries are as preventable as heat injuries and require the medical department to work closely with the line commander to recommend effective prevention strategies for such injuries. This increases the risk of subsequent cold injury. Fatigue Mental and physical fatigue increases carelessness and the neglect of activities necessary to survive in the cold. Other injuries with blood or volume loss, or tissue injury will inhibit peripheral circulation and increase the risk of cold injury. Activity Too much or too little activity increases risk of cold injury.
Alcohol leads to mental impairment and peripheral vasodilatation increases core heat loss.
These areas should include the distribution and enforced wearing of cold weather clothing, proper personal hygiene, especially foot care, proper rotation cycles into sheltered areas, and the distribution of sufficient rations and fluids for cold weather operations, particularly hot liquids. Early diagnosis and treatment Emphasis is placed on early diagnosis and treatment of cold injuries by medical personnel. This usually takes 1-4 weeks. Cold injuries are divided into freezing and nonfreezing injuries. Chilblains is a superficial tissue injury that occurs after prolonged or intermittent exposure to temperatures above freezing and high humidity with high winds.