Temperatures are expected to go down to 7 degrees overnight Thursday in Akron — be sure you know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and how to stay safe.

Anyone exposed to cold temperatures for lengths of time is susceptible to frostbite, which is skin damage caused by below-freezing temperatures and can lead to permanent, irreversible tissue damage called necrosis.

Frostbite can leave its mark in as little as 30 minutes (sometimes less) when the wind chill is -15 degrees or colder. The areas most often affected by frostbite include hands and fingers, feet and toes, face and nose, and ears, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How to prevent frostbite

  • Stay inside during extreme cold, if possible.
  • Try to limit your time outside to 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Dress appropriately — wear layers, warm socks, a thick hat, mittens that fit snugly around your wrists. Cover your face, ears and mouth with a heavy scarf.
  • Ensure your clothing fits comfortably and doesn’t cut offe circulation. 
How to dress for the cold graphic.
(Courtesy of weather.gov.)

Those most at risk of frostbite during prolonged cold exposure are individuals who:

The range of symptoms go from frostnip to deep frostbite

  • Frostnip: the first stage of frostbite. Symptoms include cold, sore and painful skin in the affected area. The skin can be red and purple. See a healthcare provider to make sure there is no longterm damage.
  • Superficial frostbite: the second stage of frostbite. Symptoms include feelings of pins and needles in the affected area. The skin begins peeling. Seek medical attention and treatment.
  • Deep frostbite: the third and most severe stage of frostbite. Symptoms include numbness. Hard, black skin forms in the affected area. Medical attention should be immediately given.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, due to the numbness that frostbite causes, it can go unnoticed because nothing feels wrong. 

Graphic showing warning signs of hypothermia
(Courtesy of weather.gov.)

Avoid hypothermia during cold weather

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that happens when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Though mild cases of hypothermia can be treated, if left untreated, the condition can lead to cardiac arrest and death. 

Hypothermia most often occurs during very cold temperatures, and while anyone can get it, certain populations are more vulnerable. Older people, young children and babies; people who use alcohol and/or recreational drugs; people who are unhoused; and individuals with mental health and certain medical conditions are all more susceptible to hypothermia.

Symptoms of hypothermia vary based on the level of severity.

Mild hypothermia, when the body’s temperature is between 95 and 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit, can include symptoms of:

  • Shivering
  • Chattering teeth
  • Exhaustion
  • Slow movements, slow reactions and clumsy movements
  • Sleepiness
  • Weakened pulse
  • Fast heart rate
  • Rapid breathing
  • Skin pale in color
  • Confusion
  • Excessive urination
  • Difficulty speaking

Moderate hypothermia, when the body’s temperature is between 89.6 and 82.4 degrees, can include symptoms of:

  • Slower breathing and heart rate
  • Slurred speech
  • Mental function decline
  • Hallucinations
  • Decreased shivering
  • Skin bluish in color
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weakened reflexes
  • Loss of consciousness

Severe hypothermia, when the body’s temperature is lower than 82.4 degrees, can include symptoms of:

  • No shivering
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fluid in lungs
  • No reflexes
  • Complete muscle stiffness
  • No voluntary motion
  • Low urine output
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Coma
  • Death

Hypothermia is diagnosed by healthcare professionals according to body temperature and symptoms. Treatment includes moving the affected individual to a warm, dry location, taking off any wet clothing, replacing it with dry clothes, and applying external heat with a heat lamp or hot pack. In severe cases, an IV might be used to get fluids into the body or an oxygen mask might be used to provide oxygen.

How to prevent hypothermia, according to the Cleveland Clinic

  • Dress in layers and keep warm clothes on-hand and nearby. Wear appropriate clothing for the temperature.
  • If possible, keep home temperatures above 68 degrees.
  • Move around when feeling cold to increase the body’s temperature.
  • Eat and drink warm foods and beverages.
  • When outside, take breaks and go inside to warm up.

Avoid alcohol use and certain medications (such as sedatives, anesthetics, opioids, phenothiazine antipsychotics and clonidine) that can lead to hypothermia.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.