Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. First our skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and pale. Frostbite is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Exposed skin in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable to frostbite. But frostbite can occur on skin covered by gloves or other clothing.

Frostnip is a milder form of cold injury that doesn't cause permanent skin damage. 

SYMPTOMS OF FROSTBITE

Signs and symptoms of frostbite include:

• At first, cold skin and a prickling feeling
• Numbness
• Red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin
• Hard or waxy-looking skin
• Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness
• Blistering after rewarming, in severe cases

Frostbite is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Because of skin numbness, y

Frostbite occurs in several stages:

• Frostnip. Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite. Continued exposure leads to numbness in the affected area. As our skin warms,may feel pain and tingling. Frostnip doesn't permanently damage the skin.
• Superficial frostbite. Superficial frostbite appears as reddened skin that turns white or pale. skin may begin to feel warm — a sign of serious skin involvement. 
• Deep (severe) frostbite. As frostbite progresses, it affects all layers of the skin, including the tissues that lie below. Y

CAUSES OF FROSTBITE

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze. The most common cause of frostbite is exposure to cold-weather conditions. But it can also be caused by direct contact with ice, frozen metal or very cold liquids.

Specific conditions that lead to frostbite include:

• Wearing clothing that isn't suitable for the conditions you're in — for example, it doesn't protect against cold, windy or wet weather or it's too tight.
• Staying out in the cold and wind too long. Risk increases as air temperature falls below 5 F (minus 15 C), even with low wind speeds. In wind chill of minus 16.6 F (minus 27 C), frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes.
• Touching materials such as ice, cold packs or frozen metal.

RISK FACTORS OF FROSTBITE

The following factors increase the risk of frostbite:

• Medical conditions that affect ability to feel or respond to cold, such as dehydration, excessive sweating, exhaustion, diabetes and poor blood flow in  limbs
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Smoking
• Fear, panic or mental illness, if it inhibits good judgment or hampers your ability to respond to cold
• Previous frostbite or cold injury
• Being an infant or older adult, both of whom may have a harder time producing and retaining body heat
• Being at high altitude, which reduces the oxygen supply to your skin

COMPLICATIONS OF FROSTBITE

Complications of frostbite include:

• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Increased risk of developing frostbite again
• Long-term numbness in the affected area
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• Changes in skin color
• Changes in or loss of nails
• Joint stiffness (frostbite arthritis)
• Growth defects in children, if frostbite damages a bone's growth plate
• Infection
• Tetanus
• Gangrene — decay and death of tissue resulting from an interruption of blood flow to the affected area — which can result in amputation
• Hypothermia

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR FROSTBITE

Agaricus Muscarius - is the first remedy that comes to mind for chilblains, as it produces the stinging and itchy sensations in the toes and feet that are characteristic of frostbite. If no other remedy is specifically indicated, use Agaricus.

Agaricus features the swelling, burning, redness, cramping, and skin eruptions that itch and burn. Some patients experience lasting redness after frostbite and symptoms of rosacea; some experience swollen veins with the cold skin. It is good to keep in mind that the more serious effects of hypothermia are addressed by this remedy, namely the irregular, tumultuous palpitation of the heart, which can take place when hypothermia has progressed. In general, these patients’ symptoms are all worse for open, cold air; worse after eating, worse after coitus, and worse before a thunderstorm. Slow movement brings about amelioration.

Nux Vomica - is a good homeopathic medicine for Frostbite to consider if there is superficial inflammation with bright red swelling and burning itch. We can recognize the need for this remedy when the skin begins to crack and bleed as it warms, as well as if we see the typical Nux Vomica emotional state: extreme irritation, anger, and a kind of denial/denouncement of the situation. Where there is bleeding, cracked skin or inflamed, swollen, painful red heels bathed in unpleasant-smelling moisture, 

 Arsenicum Album - tendency in the frozen skin leans towards gangrene. Blackish vesicles may be present on the affected parts. Don’t forget to look for the characteristic fussy anxiety and restlessness of this patient.

Sulphur - frosbite has a tendency to suppurate, and if its burning itchiness only gets worse once the part warms up in bed. In cases where the swelling and itching is violent,