Frostbite happens when your skin and the tissue underneath freeze. It usually affects fingers, toes, ears, and your nose, but can affect any area of skin exposed to extreme cold.

Frostbite is caused by very cold weather, especially with wind. Not wearing warm clothes or having poor circulation can make it more likely.

You are more at risk if you:

• Spend a long time outside in the cold
• Are very young or older
• Have circulation problems

Early signs include:

• Skin that is cold, pale, firm, or looks waxy
• Tingling or “pins and needles” followed by numbness

It’s often hard to tell until the skin is warmed. Frostbite is more serious if:

• It extends up fingers and toes
• Skin looks blue or blisters appear

If you think frostbite is serious, get medical help straight away.

To reduce your risk:

• Wear layers and cover exposed skin
• Use warm gloves, socks, and hats
• Keep dry and avoid tight clothes
• Limit time outside in very cold weather
• Check each other’s skin if you’re outdoors (‘buddy checks’)

Yes. Wind removes heat from your body faster, so frostbite can happen even if the temperature doesn’t feel extremely cold.

• Go somewhere warm straight away
• Take off wet or tight clothes
• Take off any jewellery
• Warm the skin gently with body heat or warm (not hot) water, only if it won’t freeze again

• Don’t rub or massage the skin
• Don’t use direct heat like fires or heaters
• Don’t walk on frostbitten feet if you can avoid it
• Drink alcohol or smoke

See a doctor if:

• Skin stays numb or hard
• Blisters appear
• Skin is very painful or changes colour
• You’re unsure how bad it is

Amputation is rare in mild frostbite but more likely in severe cases. Doctors usually wait 4–6 weeks to decide if damaged tissue needs removing, unless there’s an infection.

Most mild frostbite heals completely. Severe frostbite may cause:

• Amputation
• Long-term pain
• Skin that is sensitive to hot or cold
• Skin that is generally more or less sensitive

Not necessarily. Most frostbite happens because of specific cold conditions or behaviour, not because someone is naturally prone.

If circulation is damaged, the affected area may be more at risk in extreme cold.

Keep affected areas warm until skin looks normal and feeling returns.

If skin or sensation doesn’t fully recover, get advice from the clinician looking after you.