SATURDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDayNews) -- When you're out on your skis, sled and skates enjoying the winter wonderland, remember to protect yourself against frostbite. It typically affects exposed areas of the body such as hands, feet, nose, ears and face. Your risk of frostbite increases if you take certain medications for heart conditions or if you have circulatory problems, like narrowing of the arteries, says an article in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. A slightly painful, tingling sensation is the first sign of frostbite. That's often followed by numbness. Skin that's frostbitten may be pale, cold and hard. The Mayo Clinic offers the following advice on how to deal with frostbite: More information Here's where you can learn more about frostbite. (SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, December 2003) Copyright © 2004 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder® does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit the healthfinder® health library. |