NE40
category
Superficial frostbite
Definition
Superficial frostbite is a blistering, surface tissue injury following transient exposure to below freezing temperatures. Damage occurs due to ice crystals directly injuring epidermal cell membranes, and intense vasoconstriction leading to inadequate skin perfusion. Injury can be increased if affected tissue is gradually, rather than rapidly, rewarmed. Blistering, contains clear fluid and skin will generally heal over several weeks with paresthesias and sometimes arthritis. Skin grafting and amputations are not needed, and unlike thermal injuries, there is no denatured protein, so these patients do not form hypertrophic scars.
Inclusions
- frostbite with partial-thickness skin loss
Exclusions
Also indexed as
First degree frostbiteFrostnipSecond degree frostbiteSequelae of superficial frostbite of abdominal wall, lower back and pelvisSequelae of superficial frostbite of ankle or footSequelae of superficial frostbite of armSequelae of superficial frostbite of headSequelae of superficial frostbite of hip or thighSequelae of superficial frostbite of knee or lower legSequelae of superficial frostbite of neckSequelae of superficial frostbite of thoraxSequelae of superficial frostbite of wrist or handSuperficial frostbiteSuperficial frostbite of abdominal wallSuperficial frostbite of abdominal wall, lower back or pelvisSuperficial frostbite of ankleSuperficial frostbite of ankle or footSuperficial frostbite of armSuperficial frostbite of faceSuperficial frostbite of fingersSuperficial frostbite of footSuperficial frostbite of handSuperficial frostbite of headSuperficial frostbite of hipSuperficial frostbite of hip or thighSuperficial frostbite of kneeSuperficial frostbite of knee or lower legSuperficial frostbite of leg, not elsewhere classifiedSuperficial frostbite of lower legSuperficial frostbite of neckSuperficial frostbite of pelvisSuperficial frostbite of thoraxSuperficial frostbite of toesSuperficial frostbite of trunk, not elsewhere classifiedSuperficial frostbite of wristSuperficial frostbite of wrist or handfrostbite with partial-thickness skin losssuperficial frostbite of lower limb NOSsuperficial frostbite of trunk NOSsuperficial frostbite of upper limb