Pathways Contact PEIA Home Return to Index Frostbite Frostbite looks like a serious heat burn, but it's actually body tissue that's frozen and, in severe cases, dead. Blisters may also develop. Frostbite can happen when temperatures drop below freezing, but wind chill speeds up heat loss and can add to the risk.
Frostbite can set in very slowly - or very quickly.
This will depend on how long the skin is exposed and how cold and windy it is. Prevention Frostbite can be prevented. Layer your clothing. Many layers of thin clothing are warmer than one bulky layer. The air spaces trap body warmth close to the skin, insulating the body against cold.