Treatment

You can treat mild frostbite (frostnip) yourself. All other frostbite requires medical attention. First-aid steps for frostbite are as follows:

• Protect your skin from further damage. If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, don't thaw them. If they're already thawed, wrap them up so that they don't refreeze.

  If you're outside, warm frostbitten hands by tucking them into your armpits. Protect your face, nose or ears by covering the area with dry, gloved hands.

• Get out of the cold, remove wet clothes and wrap up in a warm blanket.
• Gently rewarm frostbitten areas. If possible, soak the skin with frostbite in a tub or sink of warm water for about 30 minutes. For frostbite on the nose or ears, cover the area with warm, wet cloths for about 30 minutes.
• Drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage.
• Take a nonprescription pain reliever if needed.
• Remove rings or other tight items. Do this before the injured area swells with rewarming.