Outdoor workers should take cold weather precautions

Pocahontas County is known for its beautiful, mountainous landscape.  But with that landscape can come some pretty rough winter weather – rough weather that many folks have to contend with in their daily work.  From farmers to foresters to Department of Highway workers to snowmakers; snow, wind, and ice do not mean a day off from work.  These workers can be especially at risk of cold stress.  Some of the most common types of cold stress include hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body will lose heat faster than it can produce it.  Continuous exposure will eventually use up all the energy your body has stored.  This results in an abnormally low body temperature or hypothermia.  Symptoms include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination or confusion and disorientation.  Later symptoms include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness.  To treat hypothermia, move into a warm room and remove any wet clothing.  Warm the center of the body first – an electric blanket works well.  Warming extremities first can cause shock.  Wrap in blankets and warm clothing.  A warm – but not hot – beverage may help.  If the victim has no pulse, begin CPR and call 911.
Frostbite occurs when the skin actually freezes.  It usually occurs in temperatures below 30 degrees, but windchill factors can allow frostbite to occur in above freezing temperatures, as well.  Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color in the affected areas – most commonly the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.  Severe frostbite can permanently damage body tissues and possibly lead to amputation.  Symptoms include reduced blood flow to hands and feet, numbness, tingling or stinging, aching, bluish or pale skin.  To treat, move to a warm room immediately.  If feet are affected, do not walk on them unless absolutely necessary.  Immerse the affected area in warm – but not hot – water.  Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area as this can cause tissue damage.  In addition, do not use a heating pad or heat from a stove for warming.  Because the skin is so numb, burning can happen quite easily without awareness.  If forstbite is severe, follow up with your medical provider or call 911.
Trench foot occurs when the feet are immersed in cold water for an extended length of time.  It can even happen in water temperatures as high as 60 degrees if the feet are constantly wet.  Trench foot occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet.  As the body tries to prevent heat loss, it shuts down circulation to the feet causing skin tissue to die.  Symptoms include reddening of the skin, numbness, leg cramps, swelling, tingling pain, blisters or ulcers, bleeding under the skin or gangrene.  To treat, remove shoes or boots and wet socks.  Dry feet and avoid walking which causes tissue damage.  Again, if symptoms are severe, follow up with your medical provider or call 911.
To prevent cold stress and its related complications, protect yourself. 
Wear at least three layers of loose clothing for insulation.  Protect your ears, face and hands in extremely cold or wet weather.  Wear boots that are waterproof and insulated.  Always wear a hat to reduce loss of body heat from your head.  Carry extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets and a thermos of hot liquid. 
If you find yourself experiencing any of the cold stress related symptoms mentioned in this column, seek assistance right away.Outdoor workers should take cold weather precautions

Pocahontas County is known for its beautiful, mountainous landscape.  But with that landscape can come some pretty rough winter weather – rough weather that many folks have to contend with in their daily work.  From farmers to foresters to Department of Highway workers to snowmakers; snow, wind, and ice do not mean a day off from work.  These workers can be especially at risk of cold stress.  Some of the most common types of cold stress include hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot.

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body will lose heat faster than it can produce it.  Continuous exposure will eventually use up all the energy your body has stored.  This results in an abnormally low body temperature or hypothermia.  Symptoms include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination or confusion and disorientation.  Later symptoms include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness.  To treat hypothermia, move into a warm room and remove any wet clothing.  Warm the center of the body first – an electric blanket works well.  Warming extremities first can cause shock.  Wrap in blankets and warm clothing.  A warm – but not hot – beverage may help.  If the victim has no pulse, begin CPR and call 911.

Frostbite occurs when the skin actually freezes.  It usually occurs in temperatures below 30 degrees, but windchill factors can allow frostbite to occur in above freezing temperatures, as well.  Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color in the affected areas – most commonly the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.  Severe frostbite can permanently damage body tissues and possibly lead to amputation.  Symptoms include reduced blood flow to hands and feet, numbness, tingling or stinging, aching, bluish or pale skin.  To treat, move to a warm room immediately.  If feet are affected, do not walk on them unless absolutely necessary.  Immerse the affected area in warm – but not hot – water.  Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area as this can cause tissue damage.  In addition, do not use a heating pad or heat from a stove for warming.  Because the skin is so numb, burning can happen quite easily without awareness.  If forstbite is severe, follow up with your medical provider or call 911.

Trench foot occurs when the feet are immersed in cold water for an extended length of time.  It can even happen in water temperatures as high as 60 degrees if the feet are constantly wet.  Trench foot occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet.  As the body tries to prevent heat loss, it shuts down circulation to the feet causing skin tissue to die.  Symptoms include reddening of the skin, numbness, leg cramps, swelling, tingling pain, blisters or ulcers, bleeding under the skin or gangrene.  To treat, remove shoes or boots and wet socks.  Dry feet and avoid walking which causes tissue damage.  Again, if symptoms are severe, follow up with your medical provider or call 911.

To prevent cold stress and its related complications, protect yourself. 

Wear at least three layers of loose clothing for insulation.  Protect your ears, face and hands in extremely cold or wet weather.  Wear boots that are waterproof and insulated.  Always wear a hat to reduce loss of body heat from your head.  Carry extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets and a thermos of hot liquid. 

If you find yourself experiencing any of the cold stress related symptoms mentioned in this column, seek assistance right away.