Instructions for first aid for situations related to body cold due to weather

Posted by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Xuan Ninh - Emergency Resuscitation Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

The body is cold due to the weather will lead to frostbite or sudden hypothermia, if not treated promptly, it can be life-threatening. It is very important to perform first aid measures for the patient.

Frostbite in children and adults often occurs when outdoors for too long, in cold weather. In some cases, frostbite can also occur indoors or in workplaces where the victim is exposed to extremely cold materials without wearing gloves.
Usually frostbite affects body parts such as fingers, toes, nose and ears. Signs of frostbite are:
The skin above the frostbite becomes white, waxy, or yellow-gray; The frostbitten area is cold and numb; The frostbitten area becomes hard, the skin cannot move or wrinkle even if you press or pinch. First aid steps to help a frostbite victim:
Make sure the scene is safe for you and the victim; Move victim to warm area; Get a first aid kit; Call 911 (115); Remove wet, tight clothing, and dry your body at the same time; Dress the victim in dry clothes and cover the victim with a blanket; Remove tight rings or any kind of bracelet from the frostbitten part. Note the following things not to do after a victim has frostbite:
Do not attempt to thaw the frozen body part if you think there may be a possibility of thawing before the victim receives medical attention. Do not rub the frostbitten area. Rubbing can cause damage. If you need to touch the area, be very gentle.

Staying too long in the pouring rain or in a cold and humid environment can lead to hypothermia. When hypothermia occurs, it can cause a dangerous situation, even death for the victim if not given first aid in time..
Signs of hypothermia include:
Skin is cold to the touch. ; Tremor and cease when the body temperature drops very low; lethargy; Personality changes; Drowsiness and poor focus on the victim's current condition; Muscles become stiff while the skin is green and ice cold. When the body temperature continues to drop without first aid, the victim can become comatose (unresponsive), stop breathing, and die.
First aid actions to help victims of hypothermia include:
Make sure the scene is safe for you and the victim; Remove victim from cold area; Remove damp clothing, pat victim dry and cover with blanket (if available); Get first aid kit and automatic electric shock machine (AED); Call an ambulance; Dress the victim in dry clothes. Cover the body and head, but do not cover the face, can use blankets, towels, even paper to wrap; Stay with the victim until someone with more specialized training arrives and hands them over; If the victim becomes unresponsive and is not breathing or is just yawning, perform CPR. In short, as soon as you see that the victim has frostbite or hypothermia, it is necessary to perform first aid movements and then quickly contact the nearest medical address for timely support.

References: First aid - American Heart Association