| | | | | | The Medical Algorithms Project |
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| Chapter : | ch34. Environmental Health | Section : | Low Environmental Temperatures | | Degrees of Frostbite Injury | | Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Institute for Algorithmic Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. All rights reserved. |
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Overview :
One method of
classifying frostbite injury is based on the gross appearance of the injured
area.
|
Clinical
Appearance |
Degree |
Outcome |
|
white to
yellow firm plaque |
first |
no tissue loss but causalgia pain
may follow |
|
superficial blisters containing
clear or milky fluid with or without erythema and edema in surrounding
tissue |
second |
limited superficial skin loss may
occur |
|
deeper
blisters containing red or purple fluid, OR darkly discolored skin without
blisters |
third |
varies with depth of
injury |
|
extensive
dark and cyanotic skin without blisters or edema |
fourth |
gangrene within a few
hours |
| References: | |
Robson MC, Smith DJ Jr. Chapter 26: Cold
injuries. pages 849-866. IN: McCarthy JG (editors). Plastic Surgery. WB Saunders
Company. 1990.
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