Frostbite: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Frostbite?
An emergency medicine doctor (a doctor who treats sudden injuries and illness) usually gives the first care for frostbite. Frostbite is treated in hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is damage to the skin and the tissues under it, caused by extreme cold.
It happens when skin freezes after being in very cold temperatures. The fingers, toes, nose, and ears are most often affected.
Frostnip is a milder cold injury. It causes numbness that can be reversed.
Symptoms
At first, the skin may be cold and firm, numb, or stinging or burning. It may also be painful or throb. It may look red or pale. Redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin.
Other early signs can be a pins and needles feeling followed by numbness. The skin may become red and very painful as it thaws.
If frostbite gets worse, symptoms can include:
- Hard, frozen skin that can be white, blue, or blotchy.
- Swelling and loss of feeling in the area.
- Blisters filled with blood or with clear or milky fluid.
- Skin that turns black and hard as it starts to die.
Very severe frostbite may cause gangrene, which is blackened, dead tissue. It can also damage tendons, muscles, nerves, and bone.
Causes and who gets it
Frostbite happens when skin and body tissues are exposed to cold for a long time. You can get frostbite if your skin is exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below.
You are more likely to get frostbite if you:
- Take medicines called beta-blockers.
- Have poor blood supply to the legs (peripheral vascular disease).
- Smoke or use tobacco.
- Have diabetes.
- Have Raynaud phenomenon, a condition that reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes in the cold.
How doctors diagnose it
The diagnosis of frostbite is mainly based on a careful exam of the affected area. A doctor looks at and feels the skin to check its color, temperature, and texture. The doctor also asks about pain, numbness, and tingling.
Scans such as X-rays, MRI, or bone scans can help in some cases.
Treatment
Treatment includes warming the affected body part, removing dead skin, and medicines for swelling and infection. Surgery may be needed if frostbite is severe.
Unless there is severe damage or infection, doctors usually wait to operate until the line between healthy and dead tissue is clear.
In February 2024, the FDA approved iloprost, a medicine given through a vein, for severe frostbite to lower the risk of amputation. There is not much high-quality research on iloprost yet.
If you cannot get care right away, first aid can help. Get out of the cold and remove tight jewelry and wet clothes. Check for hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature, and treat that first. Do not rub the area. Do not use direct dry heat such as a radiator, campfire, or heating pad, because it can burn tissue that is already damaged. Do not pop or disturb blisters.
Rewarm the area only if it cannot freeze again, because refreezing can cause more severe damage. If you cannot be sure it will stay warm, wait until you reach a warm, safe place. If help is not nearby and it is safe, soak the area in warm, never hot, water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Follow your doctor's instructions for care at home.
When to see a doctor
Get medical help if you think you or someone else has frostbite.
In an emergency, call 911. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have been in very cold temperatures and have hard, frozen skin, swelling and loss of feeling, or blisters filled with blood or clear or milky fluid. Also call 911 if you are constantly shivering, have slurred speech and slow breathing, and are tired and confused.
Contact your provider if normal feeling and color do not come back soon after home care for mild frostbite. Also contact your provider for fever, skin discoloration, or drainage from the affected area.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can look at your symptoms, help with follow-up after frostbite, and refer you to emergency or hospital care when needed.
Common questions
Can frostbite be treated at home?
No, not on its own. Frostbite is treated in hospital, so get medical help. First aid can be started at home. Get out of the cold first. Soak the area in warm, never hot, water only if help is not nearby and the area cannot freeze again.
Should I rub frostbitten skin to warm it?
No, do not rub the affected area. Do not use a fire, radiator, hot water bottle, or heat lamp to warm it.
Can frostbite heal completely?
Sometimes. If the frostbite did not affect your blood vessels, a complete recovery is possible. If it did affect the blood vessels, the damage is permanent and gangrene may occur. Some people have lasting pain and stiffness.
How can I prevent frostbite?
Wear warm clothing in very cold temperatures. Use several loose layers with a waterproof outer layer, a hat and scarf, mittens or gloves, and thick socks and boots. Eat and drink regularly if you are in the cold for a long time.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Frostbite
- NHS - Frostbite
- NCBI PMC - Frostbite: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and future directions
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
