Treatment of frostbite

History and examination should identify whether the injury occurred within the past 24 hours and the severity (mild or severe) (1)

• mild cases may be managed locally
• potentially severe injuries may require discussion with a specialist unit and transfer if necessary
• in case of a severe injury presenting less than 24 hours after injury, transfer of patient urgently to a unit with thrombolysis capability should be considered

Management of frostbite can be roughly divided into two phases:

• pre hospital care
• hospital care

Reference:

1. McIntosh SE, Freer L, Grissom CK, et al. Wilderness Medical Society clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of frostbite: 2024 update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2024 Jun;35(2):183-97.
2. Sheridan RL, Goverman JM, Walker TG. Diagnosis and treatment of frostbite. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jun 9;386(23):2213-20.