As we now enter the cold winter weather, many of us will be skiing, sledding and shoveling snow. Many people will get cold feet as well as wet feet; no matter if our boots are waterproof, we have to protect ourselves from frostbite.
Frostbite is a thermal injury caused by cold weather. It can affect distal extremities such as fingers and toes. This condition can be very painful; also, it can cause a loss of these extremities.
Frostbite can be caused at vary degrees below freezing. Past medical history, tobacco use and ethnicity can play an important role in the condition. Peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia are some medical conditions that impair circulation which is critical in bringing warm blood, oxygen and nutrients to the extremities.
Wet clothing can lower the temperature which can cause parts of the body to become very cold. When this occurs, the toes become very red and painful. If the frostbite progresses, the skin can blister and if the freezing in the skin deepens the blister can fill with blood and potentially lead to skin death or necrosis. Joints can become very stiff and the skin and extremities must be re-warmed as soon as possible.
Medical treatment for frostbite must be instituted immediately to promote warmth to the extremities or toes. Warming of the toes can be treated by placing them in warm to hot water for a period of time. If there are blisters, they must be debrided or drained and all non-viable or dead tissue should be removed. Silvadene, which is used for burns with anti-microbial properties, is usually used to treat and dress the wounds. The wounds should be monitored to determine if any surgical debridement is indicated. If the frostbite is severe, amputation may be indicated. Sometimes, antibiotics may be instituted to prevent any progressing infection.
As with any potentially limb threatening condition, prevention is the best treatment. If there is severe winter weather, you must be aware that if your shoes and socks are wet for a prolonged period of time, they should be change to dry warm ones. If you have any condition that can affect your circulation, you should check your feet often. If there is any redness in the toes, you should attempt to re-warm your toes and feet and if there are any blisters, you should seek immediate medical attention.
If it is snowing and you have red toes, please visit a podiatrist of come to Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP at one of their office locations in Howell, Edison and Monroe, NJ.
Turf Toe is a sprain injury to the big toe joint (also known as the 1st MPJ, hallux or great toe).
Ingrown nails can be a painful condition that cause an infection and provide a situation where the patient cannot where shoes. This nail condition is usually caused when the width of the nail grows wider than its borders. As the nail grows, it can cut into the sides of the borders and sometimes, the patient will try to cut the nail. The skin can get cut due to this “bathroom” surgery if it is performed. 
