Bone-chilling temperatures in the teens will soon converge on Central Indiana. It’s critically important that everyone prepares to face the serious and potentially debilitating health and safety concerns caused by exceedingly cold and snowy weather.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, causing hypothermia or other serious conditions that have the potential to permanently damage the body. Frostbite is also very common, especially for individuals who are homeless, elderly, outdoor workers or newborns.

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing, which often results in a loss of feeling and color in affected areas such as the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers or toes. This injury can cause permanent damage to the body, sometimes leading to amputation. Frostbite is treated like a burn, and the risk is increased for people with decreased blood circulation and for those not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures.

Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature usually caused by long periods of time in the cold or by becoming chilled by rain/snow or sweat in cool temperatures. This injury has the potential to affect the brain, causing the victim to not know it is happening. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion and slurred speech.

“As the winter weather settles in Central Indiana, it is important to be prepared,” said Tyler Stepsis, M.D., medical director of the Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department at Eskenazi Health. “Utilizing a winter emergency kit for your vehicle and your home and obtaining portable mobile chargers, booster cables, flashlights, first aid kits and items to stay warm will help keep you and your loved ones safe during unexpected emergencies. Make sure to check the weather to ensure you’re properly prepared for this winter season.”

Heavy snow and ice storms are also serious threats to the roads during the winter months, often stalling or paralyzing entire areas, cities or regions. The National Weather Service states that approximately 70% of injuries from snow or ice are in the form of motor vehicle accidents, with 25% resulting in people caught outside in a storm. 

“Cold weather can quickly lead to frostbite,” said Leigh Spera, M.D., medical director of Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health.  “It’s important for anyone who spends extended time outdoors in the winter to protect themselves from these potentially severe injuries. Be sure to keep yourself covered with warm, dry clothing. If you believe that you have suffered frostbite, seek medical care immediately.”

Verified by the American College of Surgeons and the American Burn Association, the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center is regarded as one of the finest and most progressive burn centers in the United States. It treats many cases of frostbite each year and has already seen some cases this year. For more information on burn prevention, please call the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center’s burn prevention hotline at 1.866.339.BURN.

Here are some useful tips that will help you stay warm during the winter months and reduce health risks:

• Monitoring and maintaining body temperature, especially for infants and older adults who lose heat more quickly, is very important.
• Heat your home properly and safely, using only certified space heaters and fireplaces when necessary.
• Drink plenty of warm beverages, like tea or hot chocolate, to keep yourself warm.
• Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, as these may contribute to a decrease in body temperature and cause your body to lose heat at a more rapid rate.
• Always wear a hat, scarf and insulated gloves or mittens, and layer clothes to reduce the chance of frostbite or injuries to your extremities.
• Avoid overexertion when participating in outdoor chores or activities, as cold temperatures put a significant strain on the body, increasing the risk of heart attack or chills due to sweating.