Cold injuries
Background
- Frostbite occurs only when ambient temperatures are well below freezing
- Nonfreezing cold injuries occur due to exposure to cold conditions above freezing
Swiss Hypothermia Staging System[1]
Classification | Temperature | Signs/Symptoms |
---|---|---|
I / Mild | 32-35°C (90-95°F) | Shivering, awake |
II / Moderate | 28-32°C (82-90°F) | Shivering, depressed mental status |
III / Severe | 20-28°C (68-82°F) | unconscious/severely depressed mental status, shivering ceases |
IV / Profound | <20°C (68°F) | unobtainable VS |
Clinical Features
First degree (frostnip) frostbite
Second degree frostbite
Third degree frostbite
Fourth degree frostbite
Differential Diagnosis
Cold injuries
- Generalized
- Freezing
- Non-freezing
Management
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Brown et al., Accidental Hypothermia. N Engl J Med 2012; 367:1930-1938