Many people know about frostbite, a skin injury that follows exposure to extreme cold or extreme wind chills. What they may not recognize are the different degrees of frostbite. The most superficial form of frostbite is called frostnip, marked by white patches of skin that feel numb. When the skin is rewarmed, it turns red, but there is no associated swelling or blistering. To treat frostnip, simply remove your child from the cold and place him or her in a warm environment.
Frostbite is different, and it calls for more aggressive treatment.
Frostbite causes the skin to turn red. It then takes on a whitish, waxlike appearance, followed by the development of swelling and blistering. People with frostbite also will complain of numbness. With prolonged injury, they can experience pain or immobility. If a child develops frostbite, first warm him or her slowly and gently.