02/09/2026
Stay safe this winter by learning about the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, seek medical care. Check to see if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a more serious condition and requires emergency medical care.
If a person shows signs of frostbite, but no signs of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available, do the following:
• Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on feet or toes that show signs of frostbite—this increases the damage.
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
• Put the areas affected by frostbite in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
• If warm water is not available, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, you can use the heat of an armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
• Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can easily burn.
• Don’t substitute these steps for proper medical care. Frostbite should be checked by a health care provider. And remember, hypothermia is a medical emergency and immediate medical care is necessary.
Source: CDC
