Cold injuries

Background

Whid chill chart

• Frostbite occurs only when ambient temperatures are well below freezing
• Nonfreezing cold injuries occur due to exposure to cold conditions above freezing

Swiss Hypothermia Staging System

Classification	Temperature	Signs/Symptoms
I / Mild	32-35°C (90-95°F)	Shivering, awake
II / Moderate	28-32°C (82-90°F)	Shivering, depressed mental status
III / Severe	20-28°C (68-82°F)	unconscious/severely depressed mental status, shivering ceases
IV / Profound	<20°C (68°F)	unobtainable VS

Clinical Features

Cold uticaria.

Differential Diagnosis

Cold injuries

• Generalized
  • Accidental hypothermia
  • Therapeutic hypothermia
• Freezing
  • Frostbite
• Non-freezing
  • Trench foot
  • Chilblains (Pernio)
  • Cold panniculitis
  • Cold urticaria
  • Polar thigh

See Also

• Therapeutic hypothermia