Frostbites in circumpolar areas

Figures & data

Table 1. Factors predisposing to frostbite

Environmental

Temperature

Wind

Wetness

Contact with cold objects or liquids (e.g. petroleum, oil, and lubricants)

Duration of cold exposure

Geographical area

Hypoxia

Altitude

Individual

Physical/anthropometric

Age

Gender

Race

Behavioral

Cold acclimatization

Alcohol use

Fatigue

Dehydration

Smoking

Use of protective ointments

Inappropriate/wet clothing

Constrictive clothing (e.g. tight boots)

Prolonged stationary posture

Health related/physiological

Raynaud's phenomenon

Vibration-induced white finger

Cold induced vasodilation reactivity

Other peripheral vascular diseases

Diabetes

Peripheral neuropathies

Medication (e.g. vasoconstrictive drugs)

Previous cold injury

Psychiatric disorder or altered mental status

Reproduced with permission from Tintinalli, et al. 15.

Ikäheimo TM, Junila J, Hirvonen J, Hassi J. Frostbites and other localised cold injuries. Emergency dedicine7th ed. Tintinalli JS, Cline D, Cydulka RK, Ma Jo, Stapczynski SJMcGraw-Hill Medical. 2010; 1331–5.

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