Both injuries are treated similar to frostbite and are prevented by keeping hydrated and maintaining dry feet. The next consideration in cold related injuries are frost nip and frost bite . With frost nip, there is freezing of the superficial tissues commonly diagnosed by a blanching of fingers, noses, ears, etc. Frost bite, however, is significantly more serious. There we find freezing of the deep tissues resulting in the formation of ice crystals.
Appropriate therapy is to rapidly rewarm the affected area.
Hypothermia is diagnosed by a low rectal or tympanic temp. Incipiently, it will present with ataxia, blank stares, slurred speech, shivering, mental or physical dysfunction. Roughness, tilting and exertion can lead to inadequate cerebral circulation resulting in seizures, reflex vasodilation and ventricular fibrillation. Hypothermia is separated into various classifications and knowing the circumstances that precipitated it could have a bearing on the extent of treatment. Incipient, Primary, Secondary and Acute Hypothermia are all categories of hypothermia that are typically brought about by acute exposure.