INDIANAPOLIS — With the polar vortex circling central Indiana, it's going to be so cold Wednesday and Thursday that you could get frost bite after being outside for just a few minutes.
That's right - a few minutes.
Frostbite occurs when a person is exposed temperatures so low that they cause the skin and other tissues to freeze. It can result in a loss of feeling and color in affected areas before you even realize how dangerous it's gotten.
Wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero are possible through Thursday morning. At those temperatures, it can take less than 10 minutes to develop frostbite on any exposed skin.
The National Weather Service shared a chart showing just how long it takes to develop frostbite during extreme temperatures.
For example, if it's 0 degrees outside with a wind speed of just 20 miles per hour, that means the wind chill temperature is -22. At those temps, you could develop frostbite in 30 minutes or less.
You can view the NWS chart below.
The CDC offers the following information on preventing and treating frostbite.
Frostbite Symptoms:
- Prickling, Stining Feeling
- Numbness
- Discolored Skin
- Hard or Waxy-Looking Skin
What To Do If You Get Frostbite
If you think you have frostbite, seek medical attention immediately. Frostbite is generally linked with hypothermia, which is a serious medical condition that requires emergency care.
If you have frostbite without any signs of hypothermia and no immediate medical care is available you should proceed as follows:
- Get into a warm room as soon as possible
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
- Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
- Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
- Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.
Who's At Risk for Frostbite?
- People with poor circulation
- Anyone not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures
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