Can ginger be used to rub on frostbite?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 27, 2024

00:00

00:00

If the skin is not broken or ruptured after suffering from frostbite, ginger can be used to rub the affected area. However, the effectiveness of using ginger is not particularly good. But if the skin affected by frostbite is clearly broken or ruptured, ginger should not be used. Using ginger in such cases can cause severe irritation to the affected skin, which may likely lead to a secondary bacterial infection. It is recommended for patients suffering from frostbite to use some ointments that help improve local circulation.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

27sec

home-news-image

Can frostbite be treated with a hot towel compress?

Chilblains are caused by the cold, leading to spasms and contractions in the small blood vessels at the distal and peripheral ends of the human body, causing venous congestion and poor local blood circulation. At this time, using a hot towel for local hot compresses, or using heating pads for local heat application, can dilate local blood vessels, improve microcirculation, and increase blood flow, which helps in treating chilblains.

home-news-image

Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 46sec

home-news-image

Is red, swollen, and itchy heel frostbite?

Let's talk about chilblains first, which can occur on various parts of the body. The most common cause is cold stimulation, such as redness and itching on the back of the heel, which may be due to occupational or other factors. The heel is often exposed and susceptible to cold, potentially leading to chilblains. This condition can be particularly troublesome but sometimes heals on its own as the weather warms up, though it is prone to recurrence. Treatment may require the use of vasodilators or traditional Chinese medicines that improve microcirculation and invigorate the blood. Regular physical exercise to boost immunity, avoiding cold exposure, and ensuring adequate warmth and dryness are important. Tight shoes and socks should be avoided, and it is not advisable to soak in hot water immediately after getting cold; instead, gradually increase the water temperature. If there is an open wound, appropriate ointments can be applied to promote healing, ensuring the area stays dry to prevent further chilblains. For example, soaking in water daily can be beneficial if there is no open wound, starting with water at 10°C, then increasing gradually to 20°C, and finally 30°C to gradually warm the area and improve blood circulation, aiding in recovery. Additionally, using ointments like chilblain cream can help improve the condition, but the area is still prone to reoccurrence if it gets cold again. Mainly, keeping the area warm and moist is crucial. For open wounds, regular disinfection with povidone-iodine and applying erythromycin ointment to prevent infection may be beneficial. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor to avoid inappropriate self-medication.)

home-news-image

Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

32sec

home-news-image

What medicine is more effective for chilblains?

For the local treatment of chilblains, Western medicine generally uses some drugs to improve microcirculation. Commonly used drugs include compound heparin ointment, polysulfate mucopolysaccharide cream, vitamin E ointment, capsicum tincture, and so on. As for Chinese medicine, it is generally better to use some ointments that warm and drive out cold, activate blood circulation, and dissolve stasis. However, the most important thing for chilblains is to keep warm and prevent cold.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

37sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

40sec

home-news-image

Can frostbite be soaked in hot water?

Chilblains occur when cold causes the small blood vessels at the extremities and peripheral ends of the human body to constrict and spasm, resulting in venous congestion and poor local blood circulation. Therefore, soaking the affected area in hot water can dilate blood vessels, improve microcirculation, and increase blood flow, which helps in treating chilblains. Adding some traditional Chinese medicinal herbs like safflower, Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, dried ginger, and aconite to the hot water, which are known for their properties of warming and invigorating the circulation of blood and dispelling cold, can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.