Every winter, there are cases of people having frostbite injuries and issues, especially in cases of people exercising in the cold or if people are stuck outside in the cold without a place to stay warm and dry. 

In most cases, frostbite only causes injuries to the skin and they are not permanent. They can be easily fixed and treated especially if the person moves into a warmer environment and seeks medical attention. 

However, frostbite can escalate into worse symptoms and problems, including nerve damage, if the problem is not treated. Taking supplements like Nerve Control 911 may be something to look into if you are experiencing nerve damage from frostbite.

How Does Frostbite Cause Nerve Damage? 

Frostbite most commonly happens when a person’s skin is exposed to cold and windy weather. However, it can still happen to areas of the skin covered by clothes if the weather is very cold or if the person is not wearing the proper thermal layers. 

Frostbite can also happen if the person is touching ice or other very cold materials for a long period of time. 

Some people think you have to be in the cold for a very long time to experience symptoms of frostbite, but in weather that is below 5 degrees Fahrenheit, you can get frostbite in less than 30 minutes. 

You are more likely to get frostbite if you are not wearing the proper clothes which is why it’s very important to dress well in the winter including wearing insulated and thermal layers when needed. 

Frostbite is more likely to cause damage to the nerves and other serious health issues if it’s left untreated or if the person does not have access to medical attention. 

Signs of Frostbite 

There are many different signs and symptoms of frostbite. Some are more serious than others. Most of the time, you will just feel your skin is cold and there is a strange prickling feeling. 

However, as the frostbite is not treated and nerve damage sets in, you might also experience some or all of the following:

• Numbness in the affected area 


• Skin that is turning red, white, blue, gray, yellow, brown, or purple. Everyone’s skin is different and the severity of the frostbite will determine what color the skin turns 


• Skin that looks hard


• Skin that looks like it has been covered in wax 


• Joint stiffness as the frostbite progresses 


• Clumsiness is caused by the muscles being stiff or the person not being able to move their joints well 


• Blistering of the skin after it has been warmed again, is severe and needs medical attention right away

Stages of Frostbite 

The stage that your frostbite reaches will determine if you will have nerve damage or not. Usually, mild cases that are treated right away by a medical professional will not have nerve damage but you always want to see a doctor just in case to ensure the situation does not get worse. 

Here are the stages of frostbite and how they determine if the person might get nerve damage:

• Frostnip. Frostnip is not the same as frostbite and it’s usually very mild. It happens before a person actually moves into the frostbite stage. Frostnip usually does not cause severe or lasting issues with the skin or nerves. As your skin begins to warm again though, you might feel like your skin is numb or tingling. 


• Superficial frostbite. When you have superficial frostbite, you will see that your skin begins to change color. This means the skin is now affected and you can have serious issues with the skin later on. This can also cause nerve damage as the frostbite enters other areas of the body. If you are able to rewarm the skin, it might look like it’s mottled and you will feel burning and stinging. 


• Severe frostbite. Severe frostbite affects every layer of the skin as well as the tissues below the skin including nerve tissue. If you have severe frostbite, you will usually have nerve damage. Your skin will begin to turn white or gray and then you will lose all feelings in the affected area. When the skin is rewarmed, large blisters will come onto the skin and then the tissues will turn black. Your muscles might also stop working. 

Treating Frostbite and Nerve Damage 

If you have superficial or deep frostbite, it’s recommended you see a doctor so they can inspect the skin and the muscles. They will be able to treat you and let you know if you might experience lasting nerve or muscle pain. 

If you have severe frostbite, you might also experience hypothermia which is serious and needs to be treated right away. Signs of hypothermia include slurred speech, shivering, and severe drowsiness. 

If possible try and wrap yourself in as many layers and warm blankets as possible. 

If possible, you can also:

• Move into a warmer area until help arrives 


• Remove any clothing that is wet or sticking to the body 


• If your feet are frostbitten, try not to walk on them or put pressure on them 


• Take a pain reliever if available 

Frostbite and Complications 

Other than experiencing permanent nerve damage from frostbite, there are other kinds of complications that you can expect from frostbite:

• Loss of nails or brittle nails 


• Permanent changes in skin tone and skin health 


• Increased sensitivity to the cold 


• Excessive sweating 


• Hypothermia 


• Gangrene 


• For children, growth problems if the frostbite affects the bones and growth plates 


• Long-term numbness in the area that was affected, which is a type of nerve damage 

People are more likely to experience frostbite if they stay in the cold, drink alcohol while in the cold, or if they are at high altitudes where there is less oxygen for the skin and muscles. 

The Bottom Line 

Frostbite can cause nerve damage especially if the person has a severe case or if they are not treated and taken to a warmer area right away. Frostbite can also cause a number of other complications and other issues especially if the person does not have medical attention or if they develop hypothermia. 

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