Prevention of Cold Injuries 9-37.
Cold injury is defined as tissue damage produced by exposure to cold.
The type of injury depends on the degree of cold, the duration of exposure, and environmental and physiological factors. Cold injury can occur at nonfreezing and freezing temperatures although their pathology will be very similar. Non-freezing, wet cold injuries are associated with prolonged exposure to cold water, dampness or high humidity. Keeping clothing and exposed extremities dry is the primary preventive measure against this type of injury. Freezing, dry cold injuries are associated with extended exposure to subfreezing temperatures, usually 14 degrees F. or lower when the humidity is low.