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Illnesses

Frostbite

Frostbite
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 5 to 7
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.76

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    frostbite, swelling, literally, burning, hypothermia, nipping, susceptible, waxy, somewhat, extremely, recovery, harmless, sterile, possibility, affected, snowstorm
     content words:    Jack Frost

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Frostbite
By Jennifer Kenny 		  
1     Do you remember Jack Frost nipping at the characters' noses in the holiday cartoons? The concept seemed somewhat harmless, and certainly some fun in the cold weather can be harmless, too. However, extremely cold temperatures can present dangers. One such danger is frostbite.
 
2     What is frostbite? It is damage to the skin and the tissue underneath caused by exposure to very cold temperature for a long time. Frostbite is frozen body tissue. Its medical term is congelatio. When a person is exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, blood vessels near the skin will narrow to preserve the body's temperature. When the person is exposed for a lengthy time to these cold temperatures, blood flow is reduced dangerously to certain areas. The poor blood flow and the cold temperature can freeze the tissue. This typically occurs farthest from the heart where the surface is exposed. Any part can be affected, but it is most common on the hands, feet, nose, and ears.
 
3     How does a person know frostbite is occurring? First, there's a "pins-and-needles" feeling followed by numbness in the affected area. Sometimes a person experiences a throbbing or an aching followed by the area feeling like a block of wood. The first stage is frostnip and requires warming up when the skin is white and numb. However, when the skin is white, waxy, numb, and hard, frostbite has set in and the person needs emergency help.

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