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Of late, have you been out building snowmen and indulging in snowball fights? Well, do not be surprised if all this gives you frostbitten hands and feet. A frostbite usually occurs due to prolonged exposure to freezing cold temperatures.
Common symptoms of frostbite you get to experience are hardened and discolored skin, painful blisters and total numbness. Frostbite typically occurs in the skin and underlying tissues covering the extremities of your body. Check out these useful home remedies for treating frostbite effectively.
Best Home Remedies For Frostbite
Aloe To The Rescue
Scrape out some aloe pulp from under an aloe leaf and mix this with some warm water. Apply this mixture directly over the frostbitten area. Aloe Vera heals the affected area and reduces pain.
Oil Mix
Mix equal quantities each of peppermint oil, olive oil and camphor oil. Rub this mixture gently on the frostbite. This oil mix generates heat and eventually gets rid of pain and discoloration in addition to healing the skin.
Go For Warmth
If you have frostbite, the first thing to do is to get some warmth. Remove wet clothing if any, and change into loose, warm clothes. Apply warmth to the affected areas gradually using your body. For instance, place frostbitten hands under your armpits or curl yourself inwards, while lying down, to generate warmth. You may also wrap the affected areas lightly with dry and sterile dressing. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself entirely or only the affected areas in warm water, temperature not exceeding 105-110° F. Avoid exposing frostbitten areas to open fires, heating pads or other hot objects. This will only worsen your condition as frostbite requires gradual heating techniques.
Ginger And Sage Tea
Make yourself a nice warm cup of ginger and sage tea, by boiling a few pieces of freshly crushed ginger and sage leaves in two cups of water.
Ginger and sage increase blood circulation to the peripheral areas of the body almost instantly. Consuming this tea will increase blood circulation in your body and reduce pain and inflammation due to frostbite.
Soak In Some Tea
Place 10 – 15 tea bags into a gallon of boiling hot water. Allow the tea to steep for another 10 minutes. Let this solution cool down to room temperature before soaking the frostbitten areas in it. Tea soothes the affected area instantly. The warmth will help increase blood circulation to the frostbitten areas.
Onion Poultice
Mash an onion and prepare a paste. Apply this generously over the affected areas if the skin is unbroken. Else you can prepare an onion poultice by tying the paste in a muslin cloth. Apply this poultice directly on the frostbitten areas. This is an age old remedy used for treating minor frostbites.
Roll A Bottle
Fill a soda water bottle with hot water and roll it to and fro under your feet. This provides instant relief from frostbitten toes and soles.
In spite of following these home remedies, in case there is further deterioration or no improvement in your condition, do not hesitate to consult emergency care immediately.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.