Loads of summits, base camp dissolving, and frostbite
May 20, 2007 10: 39 EST
Our clinic staff congratulates all of the lucky summitteers who have succeeded in making their dreams come true. Even though we weren't up on the ropes with them, we feel like a small part of many of these teams; we're so proud of our friends accomplishment! Base camp is quickly dissolving as those who've come down to EBC are packing up and taking off for lower climes -- we can't wait to join them!
Back to medicine: every year we treat a few who've suffered frostbite in the extreme conditions up high. In most cases, climbers did everything right (prepared by wearing proper clothing etc) but were stuck out in hazardous conditions like high wind or unavoidable stops in activity. This might be a good time to review prevention and seft treatment of frostbite for our readers.
- Stay well hydrated and well fed to enable your body to generate heat!
- Avoid alcohol, which can impair your sensation (and judgment!)
- Avoid smoking, which will constrict your blood flow
- Don’t climb/trek under extreme weather conditions (high wind, very cold)
- Avoid tight fitted clothing, no wrinkles in the socks
- If your clothing/socks/gloves get wet from snow/rain or perspiration, change or DRY them quickly – including boot insoles
- Wear mittens rather than gloves in extreme cold and a liner glove underneath if you need quick temporary access to fingers (e.g. photography)
- Never ignore numbness – as an old professor once told me – “if you feel your fingers and toes getting numb and you ignore it, that numbness might be the last thing you ever feel!” Numbness is a sign that you may be getting into trouble. If it doesn’t resolve by increasing activity, you need to get somewhere to take off your gloves/boots and rewarm yourself.
- Avoid rubbing frostbitten areas – beating on them only increases the chance of injury and doesn’t help them rewarm faster.
- IF you or your buddy has frostbite, get somewhere warm, but only rewarm the injured area if there is no chance it will refreeze
– keep the area padded and protected against further heat loss. The quickest way to rewarm is to submerge in warm water (~104F, or the warmth of a hot tub, test the water first with a thermometer or an uninjured body part – a frozen hand can’t determine if the water is too hot!)
- If you're not allergic, use an anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen for a few days.
- Never pop the blisters -- they provide a dressing over the injured tissue below. Sometimes physicians need to drain tense blisters but this should be done under aseptic conditions with proper dressing afterward.
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