Call today for FREE
Aesthetic Consultation
www.AmericanRegen.com
We’ve
0RYHG
«W
%LQJKD R«
P
)DUPV «
«7HOHJUDSK«5G«6XLWH«««%LQJKDP«)DUPV«0,«
2032690
Ask Dr. Vieder
I sometimes have to argue with my son who thinks its OK to shovel our driveway without wearing gloves. At what
point is it not OK?
Your son does develop body heat while exercising even in a cold environment, but there are two concerns with regard to cold exposure of your hands
when outdoors for a long period of time. Initially the vessels in your hands will dilate, and that allows a signifi cant amount of heat to escape from
your body. Once the cycle of heat loss gets to a critical point, your body begins to constrict those blood vessels, which ultimately diminishes the blood
fl ow in critical areas like your hands, feet, ears and nose. This puts you at risk for cold-related injuries like frostnip or frostbite. It's always best to have
adequate winter clothing, especially gloves and a hat, when doing any type of activity outdoors for more than a few minutes.
How do I know the difference between fi ngers and ears that are just cold and vs. a potential case of frostbite?
The initial phases of frostbite can be deceiving and develop quickly. The fi rst signs appear when your fi ngers feel cold and begin to look pale. The pill
coloring is important to recognize. It indicates that your body has constricted the blood vessels in your hands to keep the blood fl ow closer to more
critical body organs. The feeling of tingling or numbness is a sign that you must eliminate the cold exposure as soon as possible by going indoors or
fi nding some other way to warm the chilled extremity.
If I suspect its frostbite, what should I do next?
1985860
Immediately go to a warm place and remove any wet gloves or clothing. Resist the urge to rub your hands together or run
them under hot water, as both of these actions can be very damaging. Remember that the blood vessels have constricted
in your hands and there's a good likelihood that crystals have formed. Rubbing your hands together can actually cause
signifi cant damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your fi ngers. Be very cautious about running your hands under hot
water as this may cause skin burns on top of frostbite. Lukewarm to body temperature water is OK, but nothing hotter
than 104°. As the area thaws it will likely be quite painful. If you believe you have developed frostnip or frostbite, it's
critical that you seek medical attention at a certifi ed urgent care or local emergency department once you have
eliminated the risk of exposure.
For more info, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com
Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfi eld / Livonia
January 28 • 2016
67