Knowing the appropriate first-aid procedures for common winter diseases has to be topping your list of priorities. Even Olaf, the snowman, uses a towel on his neck. That suggests that so many things could go wrong, as fun as things are. And when you’re standing on cold, thin ice, you’d better known how to heal IF it shatters beneath you.
In this article, we’ll look at the first steps to take should any of Coldplay’s songs invite these common winter illnesses into your system for a little party.
Highlighting the 4 Commonest Winter Diseases
Frostbite & its First-aid Guide
Frostbite is a visitor that only stops by if you invite it. It is an emergency that occurs only when you’re unprepared to face the cold weather. Frostbite affects mostly the extremities like face, ears, fingers & toes. So, if you’re riding on the white bear’s back in the Northern Pole and are not putting on adequate clothing, be ready to lose your finger grip on the adventure soon.
Symptoms of Frostbite
- Basic Frostbite;
The more common form of frostbite, usually the first stage in the development of the condition, has the following symptoms:
- Hardened skin;
- Numbness or stinging sensation;
- Affected area becomes paler than other parts of the skin.
- Deep Frostbite
When frostbite is not treated at its initial stages, what follows is worse symptoms that may lead to serious complications. Symptoms include:
- Tissues in the affected body area become stuff;
- The skin on the area turns black, blue, or mottled.
- Total loss of feeling on the body part.
First-aid Guide for Frostbite
- Take off any piece of jewelry or cloth that may restrict blood flow to the affected area.
- Thaw the body as if you’re prying ice open gradually & are unsure of protecting the body capably.
- Tie some bandage around the spot to avoid extra freezing.
- Keep the affected (and now bandaged) body parts above your heart’s level — which is roughly your chest.
- After doing this, you can seek further help by calling 911.
While you’re at frostbite treatment, do not rub the frostbitten area with your hand. Also, avoid breaking any blister that may form on the skin.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is one of the consequences of a person suffering a drop in body temperature below 35°C. This is the most common condition experienced by outdoor enthusiasts. Also, while older people are at a higher risk of developing hypothermia, it should be known that anyone exposed to extreme cold is at risk. And the less prepared you are, the likeliest the possibility.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
- Confusion or lack of coordination.
- Bright red skin.
- Slurred speech.
- Slowed pulse rate.
- Shivering.
- Shortness of breath.
First-aid Guide for Hypothermia
Cold Stress: This is the initial stage of hypothermia and is characterized by extreme cold symptoms. What’s most important here is that the victim is still responsive. What you need to do here is, therefore, to stop the loss of heat & foster warmth. You can do this by offering dry, warm clothing and giving the patient a meal or drink rich in calories. The victim should move about as much as they can to encourage the creation of body heat.
Mild Hypothermia: This is the next stage after cold stress. Here, the victim is still responsive & even alert, but their movement is becoming impaired. To treat a person in this stage, the person has to stay still for 30 minutes, after which you apply heat to the upper part of their body. Ensure you are gentle with them, after which they return to their lying position before professional help is called for.
Moderate Hypothermia: A person experiencing moderate hypothermia may be responsive, but he will most likely fail to respond to stimuli. The person can’t move either, and he can’t stop shivering. The procedure to treat this is similar to that of mild hypothermia: lay them down & keep them insulated until help arrives.
Severe Hypothermia: A severely affected hypothermia patient is far from responsive, and the coldness of his body temperature can be frighteningly low. You must call for help immediately and perform the same steps as you would on a person in the moderate stage. If you know how to, you should conduct emergency CPR too.
Keep in mind to constantly assess the condition of a hypothermic. Their shivers & level of responsiveness are very crucial.
Heart Failure
The heart is also vulnerable to the effects of winter, particularly when you’re exposed to extreme conditions for long. Prolonged exposure to icy temps causes constricted arteries, leading to heightened blood pressure levels. Due to the efforts of keeping up with these difficulties, the heart comes under a lot of pressure. The likelihood of a heart attack & even a cardiac arrest becomes more prominent.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
A heart attack is preceded by certain symptoms, which can help prevent the attack if paid proper attention to. Here are signs to watch out for a while out in the cold:
- Nausea.
- Chest discomfort.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain in the jaw, neck, back & arms.
- Weakness & fatigue.
- Dizziness.
- Vomiting.
First-aid Guide for Heart Failure
Should a heart attack occur, the first step is to call for immediate help before performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The basic steps to conduct CPR involve pressing the chest until the person sputters, and if that does not work, you should perform a mouth-to-mouth procedure.
Sunburn
Obviously unexpected, but sunburns are possible in winter, and they can even be worse than what you experience in summer. This is because over 75% of the sun’s harmful rays are reflected by the snowy ground.
Sunburns in winter are, however, rare because nearly everyone dresses to cover their body. However, you need to know that they may occur if you don’t have appropriate wear.
Symptoms of Sunburn
- Fatigue.
- Swelling.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Extreme softness in affected parts.
First-aid Procedure
Apply soothing lotion on affected areas & stop moving about.
Concluding the First-aid Procedures for Common Winter Diseases
Applying the above first-aid procedures for common winter diseases is quite easy — so long as you know how to. However, many of these conditions can be prevented by dressing appropriately. Keep on your protective gear at all times & come with extra supplies when you hit the great outdoors. There is no guarantee in the wild, but you can be assured of protection from these illnesses if you’re properly dressed.