Frostbite

Updated: 2024-10-15

A condition in which skin and the tissue just below the skin freeze.

Overview

In frostbite, skin and the tissue just below the skin freeze. Frostbite mostly affects small, exposed body parts, such as fingers and toes.

Symptoms

The skin gets very cold, then numb, hard and pale.

Treatments

Mild frostbite can be treated with gradual warmth. Severe frostbite requires medical care to prevent complications.