Question:
Do I Have Frostbite or Frost Nip?
Last night I was outside for about 10 minutes in super cold weather (Montana weather...) in the snow...With bare feet. Yes, I know how stupid this was of me, save your comments on the clothing. Believe it or not there was a legit reason but that's got nothing to do with it. But my feet were numb after not much time, and by the time I got back inside they felt super numb/calloused but soft to the touch. As they warmed up, they went from bright red to a splotchy red, pink, and flesh color, then my toes were sort of a grayish color but that didn't last long. Now they're just this yellowish color and they're really tingly and numb feeling. Do I have frost nip or frostbite? And is it absolutely necessary to get medical attention or is there a way to treat it from home? How should I treat it, and how long will it last? Thank you =]
Answers:
You may have had frostbite. You need to talk to someone there about that, someone who can actually look at your feet. If you have feeling in your feet and can walk without pain, those are good signs. It's a good sign if the frostbitten body part turns red or pink as it starts to re-warm. If the body part starts getting discolored and the skin turns blue, purple or black, this is a serious problem that will require a trip to the hospital. I think you should get it checked. It sounds like you might have some circulation or sensory problems with them.