Frostbite

[Fae Oonagh]

Home Remedies For Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when the skin of a person's extremities (usually hands, feet and nose) has been exposed to cold temperatures for too long. If the skin is cold, pale or numb, there may be frostbite.

The extent of frostbite varies greatly, depending on the length of time a person has been exposed to the cold...the intensity of the cold, humidity and winds.. .the kinds and amount of clothing worn...a person's natural resistance to cold...as well as a his/her general state of health.

CAUTION: People with circulation problems, vascular disease, diabetes and other conditions where blood flow is compromised should do everything possible to prevent frostbite. Bundle up and stay dry!

One big problem with frostbite is that it's hard to know you have it until it's already on its way to being serious.

At some ski resorts, the ski patrol does occasional nose-and-cheek checks of skiers. Thanks to those checks, lots of mild frostbite victims are sent indoors to defrost

CAUTION: Seriously frostbitten victims should be placed under a doctor's care and/or hospitalized immediately.

Be sure the frostbite sufferer is in a warm room while waiting for medical help. If the person is conscious, give him or her a warm drink. Do not give alcoholic beverages! They can worsen the condition.

The frozen body parts must be warmed slowly. Be careful, when touching the skin, not to break the frostbite blisters. Cover the frostbitten areas with a blanket or warm (not hot) water. If it's warm, running water, make sure it flows gently over the skin. .

Home remedies for frostbite
Steep a teaspoon of sage in a cup of hot water for five minutes and drink it. Sage tea will help improve circulation.
When we were kids, we saw a cartoon of a male Eskimo urinating ice cubes. Funny? Yes. Accurate? No. No matter how cold we are, our urine stays fairly warm. If you're indoors and without warm water, apply urine to your frostbitten areas. It should help you thaw out.
Soak mullein flowers in olive oil for fifteen minutes and apply to frostbitten area.
Pour witch hazel over the frostbitten areas.
Warm some olive oil and gently dab it on the frostbitten skin or apply it with a kitchen pastry brush.
If you have an aloe vera plant or bottled aloe vera gel, gently apply it to the frostbitten area.
Cover the frostbitten area with the inner side of a banana peel.
Boil and mash potatoes. Add salt and apply the mixture to the frostbitten areas. If you're hungry, eat the potatoes and apply the warm water (in which the potatoes were boiled) to the frostbitten areas.
Use cold water to soak frostbitten areas. If the hands are frostbitten, rub them but do not hold directly to heat.