Place of origin has a significant role in cold injury susceptibility. This response also improves in blacks from northern climates. This is not only a physiologic improvement in response to cold but a behavioral response as well. Knowing what clothes to wear, knowing when one's extremities are too cold, not being frightened of the cold, and knowing how to deal with cold extremities all add up to make cold-experienced individuals less likely to have cold injuries. Individuals with labile vasomotor conditions, such as Raynaud's, are also susceptible to cold injury.
Cold injury tends to occur in passive, negative individuals.
Such persons show less muscular activity in situations in which activity is unrestricted and are careless about precautionary measures when cold injury is a threat. Concomitant injuries that result in a reduction of circulating volume or a localized reduction in blood flow predispose the individual to cold injury. In addition, immobilization associated with a concurrent injury increases the risk of frostbite in cold environments if adequate additional insulating protection is not provided. Poor hydration and hypovolemia decrease perfusion of the extremities. Drugs and Medication.