Patient discussions
Patients should keep affected extremities elevated and take ibuprofen every 6 to 12 hours. Aloe vera should also be applied topically to blisters. If a patient does not have a safe place to go to stay warm, hospital admission should be considered.[1] [9][22]
Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent injury recurrence. Patients should dress to maintain overall body warmth. Appropriate clothing includes close-fitting socks, gloves, and boots in cold weather; the clothing should have no pressure points or points of excessive tightness. Extreme weather conditions should be avoided if possible. Patients should avoid perspiration under conditions of extreme cold and should take measures to keep feet and hands dry. Mittens provide better protection for hands than gloves. If a patient must wear gloves, they should keep their hands in a ball in the centre of the glove for as much time as possible. Toenails and fingernails should be trimmed. Tobacco and alcohol should be avoided in cold climates.[1][17][18][19] NATA: environmental cold injuries handout Opens in new window
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