NJPPSG Frostbite

Frozen Toes? How to Tell if It’s Frostbite

Everyone’s afraid of Frostbite, but nobody knows when they actually have it. That’s where we at  New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group come in. After all, how do you know if you’re facing a serious foot issue that requires medical attention, or just a simple case of cold toes? First, we’ll walk through the progression of Frostbite and the tissue damage it causes. Then, we’ll talk about how to identify when it’s time to seek help.

The Warning Sign: Frostnip

Before actual frostbite sets in, you will likely experience frostnip. This is the earliest stage and does not cause permanent damage. Your toes look bright red, may feel painfully cold, followed by a pins-and-needles tingling.

If you can get indoors and warm up immediately, your sensation will return, though it might sting or ache as the blood flow comes back.

Stage 1: Superficial Frostbite

If you stay in the cold, frostnip progresses to superficial Frostbite. At this stage, the skin begins to freeze.

  • The Texture: Your skin may feel warm to you (a deceptive sign!), but to the touch, it will feel firm or doughy.
  • The Look: The skin color shifts from red to pale, white, or even grayish yellow.
  • The Warning: You might notice blisters appearing 24 to 36 hours after rewarming. These are usually filled with clear fluid.

Stage 2: Deep Frostbite

  • The Numbness: You will lose sensation in your toes. If your feet feel clunky like blocks of wood and you can no longer feel pain, the situation is urgent.
  • The Look: The skin may appear waxy, hard, or bluish-purple.

When to Seek Medical Attention

You should seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following:

1. Failure to Rewarm

If you have been in a warm environment for more than 30 minutes and have soaked your feet in warm water, but the skin remains cold, hard, or white, the tissue may still be frozen.

2. The Appearance of Dark Blisters

While clear blisters can occur in superficial cases, blisters filled with dark fluid or blood are a sign of deep tissue damage. These require sterile clinical management to prevent infection.

3. Signs of Systemic Hypothermia

Frostbite often goes hand-in-hand with hypothermia. If you are shivering uncontrollably, appear confused, have slurred speech, or seem unusually drowsy, get help ASAP.

4. Skin Color Changes

If the skin on your toes begins to turn blue, dark purple, or black, this indicates tissue death. This is a surgical emergency and requires immediate care to save as much of the limb as possible.

5. Severe Pain or Swelling

While rewarming naturally stings, intolerable pain, swelling, or a fever following a cold-weather outing are signs of potential infection or compartment syndrome.

If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.