Second-degree superficial frostbite is frostbite that affects the full thickness of the skin.
Frostbite occurs when the skin and body tissues are exposed to cold temperatures for long periods of time.
Symptoms include redness, fluid accumulation and significant swelling of the area, bulging in the form of a small sac filled with clear fluid, and blisters that slough off to form a black scab with loss of sensation. They are very painful because the nerve endings have not yet been affected.
A detailed medical history and a full physical examination are needed to make a diagnosis.
Cases of superficial frostbite are treated on an outpatient basis, and the general treatment for any degree of frostbite is aimed at preventing deterioration and restoring blood flow to the affected area.
- Ken Zafren, Crawford Mechem. Frostbite. UpToDate. Apr 20, 2015.
- Long WB 3rd, Edlich RF, Winters KL, Britt LD. Cold injuries. J Long Term Eff Med Implants 2005; 15:67.
- Petrone P, Kuncir EJ, Asensio JA. Surgical management and strategies in the treatment of hypothermia and cold injury. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2003; 21:1165.
- Kroeger K, Janssen S, Niebel W. Frostbite in a mountaineer. Vasa 2004; 33:173.
- Bhatnagar A, Sarker BB, Sawroop K, et al. Diagnosis, characterisation and evaluation of treatment response of frostbite using pertechnetate scintigraphy: a prospective study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2002; 29:170.
- R. Battestini Pons. Enfermedades por agentes físicos. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 12º edición. 2577:2578
