Watch for frostbite and other signs of cold weather exposure. Check on elderly friends and relatives often. The elderly make up the largest portion of cold weather fatalities in the country. Superficial frostbite is characterized by yellowish or gray patches on the affected areas. The skin is soft and becomes red and flaky after thawing.
Deep frostbite is characterized by pale, waxy skin.
The affected areas will be cold, hard and solid and may turn blue after thawing. Large blisters may also appear after thawing. If a person has frostbite follow the guidelines below. Get the victim to a warm area as soon as possible and remove any clothing that could impair circulation. Rewarm the frostbitten area for 30 minutes.