Chilblains

Clothing is often the key to the success of winter activities… Suffering from the cold or, on the contrary, being too hot are major inconveniences that have everything to spoil the most beautiful projects! So, here's a first piece of advice… When preparing to spend a few hours outdoors, it's important to imitate a popular vegetable with us, the onion, by doing like it by dressing in successive layers of clothing, rather than betting everything on the coat and overalls.

This method consists of starting with underwear, ideally wool, directly on the skin, then adding warm clothes, but not too thick. The ideal is Polar fabric or even wool… Contrary to what one might think, you should definitely not wear cotton! Yes, cotton allows air to pass through, but once wet from perspiration, it does not dry out and it becomes downright uncomfortable…

It is recommended to avoid outdoor activities when the mercury drops below -25 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the body losesexcessive heat and becomes susceptible to frostbite. Do not forget to take into account the wind factor which adds to the risk of frostbite. Yes, when we talk about winter, we have to think of frostbite, especially in toddlers who love the pleasures of winter, but who are the first victims of the cold. The ears, nose, cheeks, hands and feet (of course the fingers and toes) are the most vulnerable parts of the body to frostbite, because they are the parts most exposed to air and cold.

Treatment

If you notice an area of whitish skin that feels a bit rough to the touch, it's probably frostbite. Did you know that frostbite should absolutely not be rubbed? Or put it in snow, cold water or hot water?… On the contrary, you have to wrap the frozen region in a blanket and wait for it to thaw, even if it tingles! However, the most effective way to relieve frostbite remains skin-to-skin contact…

What to do in case of frostbite?

Remove the clothes touching the frozen part gently.
The best way to warm frozen limbs is to place them directly on someone else's skin! For example, place your child's small hands directly under your armpits. It will be a shock to you, but your body temperature will help warm his hands.
Alternatively, wrap the frozen part with a lukewarm damp towel, then with a dry towel until fully warmed.
Apply Vaseline or another greasy cream to protect the wound. Starch and vitamin B ointments are also recommended.
Chilblains normally go away after a few weeks. However, if the whiteness or loss of sensitivity persists beyond 30 minutes after warming, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The area of the body that suffers frostbite will gradually lose all feeling and become white and hard. The part of the body that has already been frozen will be more vulnerable to cold afterwards, even at higher temperatures. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you suspect that your child has frostbite.