Frostbite

 
Assess gravity
  • Blue-gray discoloration after initial warming
    • Doesn’t extend beyond the distal phalanx: prognosis is good
    • Extends beyond the distal phalax: specialized hospital care
 
Treatment
  • Slow rewarming
  • Antiplatelet dose aspirin and 800mg of ibuprofen PO to block the production of prostaglandis and thromboxane
    • Buflomedil 400mg IV over 1 hour
    • 10mg of nifedipine PO istead of ibuprofen by some authors
    • Continue for 8 days
  • Local care, hydration
  • Appropriate pain relief
  • Tetanus check
  • Low molecular weight heparin and ilomedin in stages 3 and 4 reduces amputation rate