Common Cold Weather Illnesses

With winter season fast approaching, temperatures will start to drop. As a result, an influx of cold related illnesses typically occurs. Here are some of the most common cold weather related illnesses and their symptoms.

Hypothermia: This occurs with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, which uses up your body’s stored energy. A body temperature too low can affect brain function, including unable to think clearly or move. 

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Shivering
• Fatigue
• Confusion, disorientation and loss of coordination
• Blue skin
• Dilated pupils
• Slow pulse
• Loss of consciousness

If someone is struggling with hypothermia, move the victim to a warm place immediately and remove wet clothing. Focus on warming the center of their body first with either an electric blanket, dry layers of blankets and other fabrics with skin to skin contact. Warm beverages may help as well. Once their body temperature increases, keep the victim dry and in warm layers. If there is no pulse, immediately begin CPR and contact medical assistance.

Frostbite: This happens when the body is not dressed properly for outdoor elements, causing skin to freeze. This will then lead to a loss of feeling and color loss in the frost bitten areas. In extreme cases, frostbite can permanently damage skin tissue and can lead to amputation.

Symptoms of frostbite include:

• Numbness and reduced blood flow to hands and feet
• Tingling, stinging or aching
• Bluish or pail skin

To treat frostbite, get the victim in a warm shelter immediately. Avoid walking on frost bitten feet if at all possible as further damage can arise. Also avoid massaging or rubbing affected areas as this too can cause more damage. Gradually warm the affected area with warm water that is comfortable to the touch. Body heat can also help warm affected areas like placing frostbitten fingers in your armpits, behind your neck, among other places. Avoid using a heating pad, fireplace, radiator, among other heating products as the skin can easily be burned due to the lack of feeling and numbness.

Trench Foot: This occurs with prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Trench foot can still occur even with highs as high as 60 degrees as long as the feet are constantly wet. The body typically constricts blood vessels and shuts off circulation in the feet to prevent further heat loss. Skin tissue can also die with a lack of oxygen.

Symptoms of trench foot include:

• Tingling pain, numbness and swelling
• Leg cramps
• Reddening skin and blisters or ulcers
• Bleeding under the skin
• Discoloration called gangrene where feet may turn blue, grey or dark purple

If someone is suffering from trench foot, remove wet socks and shoes immediately and dry their feet. Also avoid walking on the feet as further skin tissue damage can occur.

Chilblains: This occurs with frequent and repeated exposure of skin to chilly temps above freezing to as high as 60 degrees. This can lead to damage in blood vessels, which is permanent. Redness and itching will also occur with additional exposure, usually on cheeks, ears and extremities.

Symptoms of chilblains include:

• Redness and itching
• Inflammation
• Blistering and ulcers

If someone is suffering from chilblains, keep blisters and ulcers clean and covered. Avoid scratching if possible and use corticosteroid creams for relief. Also gradually warm the skin to avoid any burns.

Knowing the symptoms for many of these common winter illnesses can help save precious time in a serious case. 

Source: CDC
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