How to quickly form a scab when frostbite festers?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Frostbite, if the freezing duration is long, the local tissues will become more hypoxic and the cells will be severely damaged. At this point, local blisters, ruptures, erosion, and ulcers may occur. To quickly form a scab at this time, we should operate as follows: first, keep the local area as dry as possible; second, use astringent, drying, and anti-inflammatory ointments on the ruptured areas, such as boric acid ointment, boric acid zinc oxide menthol ointment, erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, etc.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Why does frostbite occur year after year?

Cold is the primary cause of chilblains, but in addition, factors such as the patient's own skin moisture, abnormalities in peripheral microvessels, autonomic nerve dysfunction, malnutrition, anemia, endocrine disorders, etc., may also participate in the development of the disease. Other factors such as lack of exercise, hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet, overly tight socks and shoes, and long-term outdoor work may also contribute to the occurrence of chilblains. Therefore, chilblains are actually a multifactorial disease, making it prone to recurrence.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How to remove the red marks left by frostbite?

For those with severe chilblains or prolonged exposure to cold, the affected tissue may suffer from hypoxia and cell damage, worsening the condition and potentially leading to blisters, erosion, and ulcers. Post-recovery, there may be residual pigmentation, such as red marks. Generally, the body undergoes a self-repair process where these marks gradually fade and disappear. For severe cases, applying ointments that improve microcirculation, repair the skin barrier, and reduce scarring can help accelerate the fading of these red marks.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Do chilblains hurt?

Frostbite occurs due to cold, causing the small arteries at the distal parts of our body to constrict, become paralyzed and spasm, leading to venous congestion and poor local blood circulation. Therefore, patients generally have symptoms such as itching and pain. Minor cases primarily present with itching which worsens with heat, while severe cases may mainly experience pain, especially when severe blisters, ulcerations, and further increased pain occur. If there is pain due to local frostbite, topical application of traditional Chinese medicine ointments that warm, expel cold, promote blood circulation, and relieve pain, or frostbite creams, capsicum tincture, etc., can be used.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How to treat frostbite in summer?

Chilblains usually occur in early winter and early spring. Therefore, treating chilblains in summer is mainly to prevent recurrence in winter. The routine mainly involves physical exercise. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine treatment, there is a concept of treating winter diseases in summer. You can use some Chinese herbal medicines that warm and promote circulation, activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and unblock collaterals to relieve pain. These herbs can be decocted and used for foot soaks over a period, which helps to prevent the occurrence of chilblains in winter.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What does it mean when frostbite turns purple?

Chilblains turning purple is mainly due to the local skin inflammation caused by cold stimulation, where the congestion in the local skin accumulates and cannot be expelled. Chilblains turning purple may be accompanied by local skin itching or pain, thus timely medication is needed for relief. You can apply some protective oils and chilblain creams, and it is important to keep both the whole body and the affected area dry and warm. Gloves and shoes should not be too tight.