Decorah doctor offers tips on recognizing frostbite

Wind chill advisories will be in effect for most of this week.  Winneshiek Medical Center family medicine physician Dr. Andy Gooder wants to remind those heading outdoors that frostbite can occur within a short amount of time. 

If your fingers, nose or toes start to hurt or have a prickling feeling, it's a warning to get out of the cold. If they begin to numb, you are starting to get frostbite.

Says Gooder, "Warm up the affected area as quickly as possible with gentle rubbing.  As the blood flow resumes, the frostbitten area will begin to hurt, sometimes quite a bit. This is a good sign, meaning the tissues are still alive."

Dr. Goodner suggests soaking the affected area in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes, but cautions against rewarming frostbitten skin with hot water, or direct heat such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad. This can cause burns.  If, however, your skin turns black, it is time to seek medical attention.