While this winter has been relatively mild, you can be sure that bitterly cold weather will still occur before spring.

Each winter, University Health Services treats numerous cases of frostbite, which occurs from unprotected skin becoming frozen after being exposed to severely cold temperatures and high winds. Toes, fingers, ears, nose and cheeks are commonly affected areas because extremities have the poorest circulation.

Frostbite is easier prevented than treated and is best summarized by the adage: “Keep warm, keep moving, and keep dry.” Warmth is best achieved by several thin layers, topped with a wind-proof outer garment.

For extremities, it is best to wear two pairs of socks, mittens (warmer than gloves), and a hat and ear protection. You can lose up to 50 percent of your body heat through an uncovered head. Avoid extremely tight clothes which can restrict blood flow.

Be watchful of frostbite symptoms. Initial symptoms are numbness, prickling and itching. Frostbite is treacherous. Because the victim has already been feeling cold and a little numb, chances are he or she will not notice the loss of sensation that signals frostbite.

Often the only noticeable sign of frost nip, the least severe form of frostbite, is a whitish skin in the affected area. To treat frost nip, just place a warm hand over the whitish area and keep it there until the person feels a tingling sensation and the white color turns to red.

Do not rub the area, and certainly do not apply any ointments. Get the person out of the cold and make sure he or she stays indoors until well warmed, several hours or more to be safe. Once the color and feeling come back, the skin is probably all right.

Longer exposure to cold can lead to superficial frostbite, in which the top layer of skin has frozen. The signs are numbness and stiff whitish skin with a waxy appearance. Get the person indoors and give warm drinks. Gently press the skin to see if there is any resilience in the lower layers.

If there is some softness, the frozen area is probably not too deep. Again, what you do not do is very important. Do not rub it or use ointments, and do not expose the skin directly to dry heat, such as a campfire, car heater, or radiator, since this heat is too hard to control. Rapid but careful re-heating in warm water (104-108 degrees) for up to 30 minutes is helpful in preventing further injury.

For this kind of frostbite it is a good idea to seek medical help, especially if swelling occurs.

The After Hours Care of the health service can treat you for any frostbite problems. Information on frostbite and other winter health concerns is available at the Wellness Resource Center, HSC, 753-1435.