Frostbite - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand S. Urhekar, MD, MD Pathology, Clinical Advisor · Last updated July 2026
Tissue injury caused by freezing, most often affecting fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks. It progresses from frostnip, through superficial frostbite with blistering, to deep frostbite involving muscle and bone. Early recognition and correct rewarming substantially reduce tissue loss.
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Quick Answer
Frostbite is freezing of skin and deeper tissue, typically on fingers, toes, ears and nose. Early signs are numbness with white, waxy, hard skin. Get the person somewhere warm and rewarm the area in water at 37–39°C for 20–30 minutes — never with direct heat, rubbing, or if there is any chance of refreezing. Blistering, black tissue or persistent numbness after rewarming requires emergency hospital care.
Symptoms
- Numbness and loss of sensation
- White, waxy, grey-yellow or blue-grey skin
- Hard or wooden feel to the affected part
- Clear or blood-filled blisters after rewarming
- Severe pain and throbbing during rewarming; black eschar in deep injury
Causes & Risk Factors
- Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures
- Wind chill and wet clothing
- Alcohol, smoking, homelessness and exhaustion
- Peripheral vascular disease, diabetes and Raynaud's phenomenon
- Tight footwear and inadequate insulation
Treatment & Management
- Move to shelter and remove wet clothing and constricting items
- Rapid rewarming in circulating water at 37–39°C for 20–30 minutes
- Analgesia — rewarming is very painful
- No rubbing, no dry heat, no rewarming if refreezing is possible
- Hospital care: blister management, tetanus cover, imaging, and thrombolysis for severe deep frostbite
When to See a Doctor
Seek emergency care for any frostbite that remains numb or discoloured after rewarming, for blistering or blackened tissue, or where hypothermia is suspected — treat hypothermia before the frostbite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rub frostbitten skin to warm it up?
Never. Rubbing causes ice crystals within the tissue to shear cells and worsens the injury. Use warm water immersion, and only when refreezing can be prevented.
What is frostnip?
Frostnip is the mildest cold injury — skin becomes pale and numb but does not freeze. It resolves completely with rewarming and leaves no lasting damage, but it is a warning that conditions can cause true frostbite.
Related Conditions
Medical References
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.