Superficial frostbite

**Definition:** Frostbite in which injury is confined to the skin, where there may be epidermal blistering and sloughing but no significant tissue necrosis.

**Long 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:** - Superficial frostbite involving multiple body regions