Frostbite—ER or Not?

You have been out in the cold too long, and now your fingers or toes are pale, numb, and painful. Is this something you can warm up at home—or are you at risk of permanent damage? Emergency physician Graham Brant-Zawadzki, MD, explains the early warning signs of frostbite, what severe frostbite looks like, and why timing is everything when it comes to saving tissue. Know when simple rewarming is enough—and when it is time to get to the ER before the damage becomes irreversible.