Frostbite: Snow Sports
As the temperature drops, it's essential to know about two common cold-related dangers: frostbite and hypothermia. These are problems that can happen when we're out in the cold for too long, especially during winter sports or activities. Here, we will delve more into frostbite and hypothermia, how it occurs and how to prevent it.
What is frostbite and hypothermia?
Frostbite occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze due to exposure to freezing temperatures. When the body is exposed to these conditions, blood vessels near the skin's surface constrict to preserve core body warmth. This reduces blood flow to the extremities, such as fingers, toes, ears, and nose, thus making them more susceptible to freezing. Frostbite can range from mild, where only the skin is affected, to severe, where it involves the damage of deeper tissue and may even result in the loss of the limb.
Going forward, hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat at a faster rate than it is produced, resulting in a continually dropping body temperature. The body may experience this if placed under frigid conditions for extended amounts of time without proper protection or if their clothes are wet. This condition can lead to confusion, drowsiness, shivering, slurred speech, weak pulse, and even loss of consciousness and death if not treated promptly. Muscle coordination and mental faculties may also be affected as a result.
Causes of Frostbite and Hypothermia
Extended periods of exposure to the extreme cold:
This weather speeds up the body’s loss of heat and so can have dangerous consequences.
Inadequate clothing while in cold temperatures:
Inadequate clothing can leave parts of the body exposed to the cold, increasing the likelihood of hypothermia and frostbite.
Wet clothing:
Moisture, such as sweat or wet clothing, can significantly increase heat loss from the body, making it more susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. Wet clothing reduces the insulating properties of clothing and can accelerate heat loss.
Windy conditions:
Wind rapidly decreases internal body temperature, especially under frigid conditions.
Dehydration:
Dehydration can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature effectively, making it more susceptible to cold-related injuries.
Prevention
Some ways to prevent hypothermia and frostbite may include:
Dressing appropriately in cold weather:
Wearing multiple layers of clothing helps hold onto the warmth produced by your body and prevent it from being lost to cold weather. Every inch of skin should be covered.
Staying dry in cold weather:
Avoid wet conditions or choose synthetic clothing that prevents moisture from forming.
Limiting exposure to cold:
Minimize time spent outdoors in extreme temperatures during winter and plan accordingly for dangerous weather.
Staying hydrated:
Drinking plenty of fluids helps increase blood flow, helping regulate body temperature in cold conditions. Try to opt for warmer drinks as opposed to colder ones.
Using heat packs:
Heat packs can help keep warmth in places such as the feet and the hands, areas where people are most often coldest.
Which athletes are affected?
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Recreational outdoor enthusiasts engaging in activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing during cold weather months are especially vulnerable to cold-related injuries if they're unprepared or lack the proper gear and knowledge.
Climbers
Climbers tackling high-altitude peaks where they’re exposed to extreme cold temperatures and high winds should specifically be worried.
Endurance Athletes
Even endurance athletes such as long-distance runners and cyclists at times have been susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. This is due to their sport being hosted in extreme conditions in which shelter and supplies may be limited.
Ice Hockey Players
Athletes participating in outdoor ice hockey games or practices, particularly in regions with cold climates should be worried. At times, even fans watching these games are at risk for hypothermia and frostbite.
Conclusion
Frostbite and hypothermia are serious cold-related injuries that can affect athletes participating in outdoor sports and activities during cold weather conditions. It’s important to know and understand the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite just in case; regardless, the best thing to know is how to prevent it.
Sources
National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Cold-Related Injuries.” Cold-Related Injuries, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 21 Jan. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789935/.
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. “How Cold Weather Affects the Body During Exercise.” Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, https://www.froedtert.com/stories/how-cold-weather-affects-body-during-exercise.
WikiHow. “How to Prevent Hypothermia.” WikiHow Health, wikiHow, https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Hypothermia.
Cleveland Clinic. “Hypothermia (Low Body Temperature).” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21164-hypothermia-low-body-temperature.