GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Frostbite can happen at any time when it is cold out, especially if you are outside for long periods of time.
When you get inside, there are some things you should and should not do to warm up:
"We DO NOT submerge our hands into hot water. We don't stick our feet in hot water. We don't rub the skin with warm cloth," said Jennifer Hoekstra, an injury prevention specialist from the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Instead you should wrap a warm washcloth around the affected area, and drink something warm.
The best thing you can do to combat frostbite is to plan ahead, dressing warm from head to toe.
According to Hoekstra, "a scarf is a great idea because they can pull it up or they can pull it down as they get warm. But that way the can protect their little nose from frostbite. And making sure they have good socks inside their boots and warm boots."
In a worse case scenario, frostbite can turn bad quickly and lead to amputation.
Just make sure there is always a protective layer between the skin and cold for a safe holiday season.
