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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

To care for your skin after frostbite:

  • Take all medications — antibiotics or pain medicine — as prescribed by your doctor. For milder cases of frostbite, take over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Apply aloe vera gel or lotion to the affected area several times a day to reduce inflammation.
  • Avoid further exposure to cold and wind.
  • Don't walk on frostbitten feet.
  • Don't apply direct heat or rub the area.
  • Don't break blisters that may develop. Blisters act like a bandage. Allow blisters to break on their own.
Prevention Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Pierard GE, et al. Cold injuries. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2953356. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  2. Mechem CC. Frostbite. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  3. Winter weather: Frostbite. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  4. Frostbite. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Quick Answers to Medical Diagnosis and Therapy. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3264952. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  5. Winter weather FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/faq.asp#frostbite. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  6. Hallam M, et al. Managing frostbite. British Medical Journal. 2010;341:1151.
  7. Imray C, et al. Cold damage to the extremities: Frostbite and nonfreezing cold injuries. Postgraduate Medicine Journal. 2009;85:481.
DS01164 Oct. 7, 2011

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