“Frostbite Injury”

“Frostbite Injury”

Specific Purpose:        To inform my audience about the frostbite injury.

Central Idea:               The three important aspects of frostbite injury are the stages of frostbite, how to give treatments for individual with frostbite and the prevention of frostbite.

Introduction

               I.      Imagine this scene

A.    You are climbing Mountain Kinabalu and you’re not a wearing sweater and you feel so cold until your fingertip becomes numb, waxy and frozen.

B.     You don’t know what happens to your fingertips and suddenly your fingertips have blisters.

C.     Then you realize that you’re having symptoms of frostbite injury.

          II.      This injury mostly occurs among soldiers and mountain climbers and others who are exposed to extremely cold temperature.

A.    Frostbite wills occur when the skin tissue and bloods vessels are damaged from exposure to temperature O.6 ºC or 31 degrees Fahrenheit.

B.     According to Peter Brukner and Karim Khan in their book Clinical Sports Medicine, this injury also combined with tissue freezing with hypoxia and general body dehydration

       III.      I don’t have experience in this injury but the knowledge about frostbite injury is important because it can occur anywhere that has an extreme cold temperature.

       IV.      The three important aspects of frostbite injury are the stages of frostbite, how to give treatments for individual with frostbite and the prevention of frostbite.

Body

             I.      There are three stages of frostbite.

A.    Firstly, the individual will experience frostnip.

1.            In this stage, the individual will experience pin and needles sensation with the skin turning very white and soft.

2.            This stage produces no permanent damage and may be reversed by soaking in warm water.

B.     Secondly, this stage is called superficial frostbite.

1.            In this stage the blistering may occurs.

2.            The skin will feel numbs, waxy and frozen.

3.            Ice crystals form in the skin cells and the rest of the skin remains flexible.

C.     Thirdly, deep frostbite will occur.

1.        The most serious stage of frostbite will develop.

2.            Blood vessels, muscles, tendons, nerves and bone may be frozen.

a.       Thus leads to permanent damage blood clots and gangrene in severe cases.

b.      Serious infection and loss of limb frequently occurs after the frostbite has reached this stage.

3.            Some frozen limbs may be saved if medical is obtained as soon as possible.

(Transition: Now that you have known what frostbite and the stages of frostbite, let’s find out what the treatments)

          II.      The following are treatments given to the individual who is affected.

A.    The emergency treatment given to for the frostbite victim is to evacuate him to a place of safety if essential.

1.      Avoid smoking because the nicotine contracts blood vessels.

2.      Immerse the frostbitten area in a saucepan of hot water, 39-40 ºC.

3.      Wrap gently in clean bandages after thawing the frozen area.

B.     Further progress treatments include:

1.      Keep the skin as clean as possible to avoid any infection.

2.      Drugs may also be useful to treat this injury.

a.       Antibiotics may be necessary, and tetanus toxoid prophylaxis is often recommended    

b.      If there is no alternative, the surgery may be the best way to treat frostbite injury.

(Transition: Now that you have known how to treat for the frostbites, we will find out how to prevent this injury from occurring.)

       III.      The following are the preventions of frostbite injury.

A.    Wear several layers of clothing in extremely cold condition since the air pocket between the layers will help to retain warmth.

B.     Limit the use of alcohol and smoking tobacco. Alcohol causes the blood to cool quickly and tobacco inhibits circulation to extremities.

C.     Avoid going outdoors during extremely cold weather.

D.    Wear waterproof skin moisturizer on exposed areas.

E.     Do not spend extended periods in extreme temperatures when you are exhausted, intoxicated or under the influence of certain drugs.

Conclusion

             I.      In a nutshell, the knowledge about the frostbite injury is important to all of us.

          II.      It is important to know the stages of frostbite, how to give treatments to individual with frostbite and the prevention of frostbite.

       III.      Lastly, please remember this phrase “Prevention is better than cure”

References

Biem, J., Koehncke, N., Classen, D., & Dosman, J. (2003). Out of the cold: Management of hypothermia and frostbite. Canadian Medical Association Journals, 168(3), 305-31.

Brukner, P. & Khan, K. (2001). Clinical Sport Medicine, (2^nd ed). McGraw-Hill,     Australia

Catherine, O., & Scott, J. M. (2002). Hypohydration effect on finger skin temperature and blood flow during cold-water finger immersion. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94, 598-603. Retrieved January 23, 2006, from japplphysiol database.

Colin, A. G., & James, S. (2000). Frozen chips: an unusual cause of severe frostbite injury. British Journal of Sport Medicine, 34, 382-384.

Dragon, B., & Michel, B. D. (2003). Finger dexterity, skin temperature, and blood flow during auxiliary heating in the cold. Journal of Applied Physiology, 95, 758-770. Retrieved January 21, 2006, from japplphysiol database.