freezing vs non freezing cold injuries
| non freezing cold injuries |
formation of ice crystals in tissue | caused by slow temperature decrease in affected tissue with hypothermia, no direct frostbite |
tissue damage is immediate | alternating phases of vasoconstriction and vasodilation in protracted hypothermia |
direct damage of entire tissue by formation of ice crystals | incomplete damage of tissue, nerve fibers react at early stage |
course often very protracted, complete recovery rare | four clinical phases |
blister formation in stages II and III | blister formation rare |
rewarming in warm water (37 to 39 °C) for 15 to 60 min | slow rewarming |
sterile und protective bandages, topical antiseptics as required, splinting of affected extremities | slight loading of the affected area possible, no bandaging necessary |
Reference:
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