Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and the tissue underneath. It most often affects fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks. Mild frostbite heals well, but deep frostbite can permanently damage tissue.

What Is It

Frostbite can happen in minutes when Chicago wind chills drop below zero. Wet clothing, tight boots, alcohol, smoking, and diabetes raise the risk. Frostnip is the earliest, mildest stage and does not damage skin. Deeper frostbite causes blisters and hard, numb skin.

Symptoms

Cold, prickly feeling, then numbness
Skin that turns red, then white, gray, or yellow
Hard or waxy looking skin
Clumsiness from stiff fingers or toes
Blisters a day after rewarming
Throbbing pain as the skin rewarms

Not sure how deep it is? Red, tingling skin that returns to normal after warming is frostnip. Blisters after rewarming are like a second degree burn and need care.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider checks how deep the injury is, and the skin is rewarmed safely. Care may include blister care, pain relief, and a tetanus shot. Deep frostbite needs a specialist.

At home:

Get indoors and remove wet clothing
Rewarm in warm, not hot, water for 15 to 30 minutes
Do not rub the skin or use a heating pad, fire, or stove
Do not rewarm if the area could freeze again

Frostnip heals within hours. Frostbite with blisters takes weeks to heal.

When to Get Care for Frostbite

Watch at Home

Red, tingling skin that returns to normal after warming
Feeling returns fully
No blisters

Come to Urgent Care Today

Numbness that does not fully return after rewarming
Blisters after rewarming
Skin that stays white, gray, or waxy
Frostbite with diabetes or poor circulation

Go to the Emergency Department

Hard, frozen skin or skin that turns blue or black
Signs of hypothermia, like confusion, slurred speech, or shivering that stops
Large areas of frostbite
Frostbite with a fall or other injury

FAQ

What are the first signs of frostbite?

The first signs of frostbite are cold, prickling skin that turns red, then numb and white or gray. Frostnip at this stage usually improves with warming.

How do you treat frostbite at home?

Treat mild frostbite by getting indoors and rewarming the skin in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes. Do not rub it or use direct heat.

How long does it take to get frostbite?

Frostbite can happen in under 30 minutes in wind chills below zero, and in as little as 5 minutes in extreme cold.

What is the difference between frostnip and frostbite?

Frostnip is the mildest cold injury and causes no lasting damage. Frostbite freezes deeper tissue and can cause blisters and permanent damage.

Can urgent care treat frostbite?

Yes, urgent care can treat mild to moderate frostbite. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check how deep the injury is and explain care for blisters and pain.

When is frostbite an emergency?

Frostbite is an emergency when skin is hard, blue, or black, large areas are affected, or there are signs of hypothermia like confusion or slurred speech.

Last reviewed October 2026