Risk factors for Frostbite

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Risk factors include:

• Exposure to freezing temperatures without adequate covering
• Low body temperature ( hypothermia )
• Age: very young or very old
• Homelessness
• Fatigue
• History of previous cold weather injury
• High-altitude cold exposure
• Working in freezing conditions
• Participating in winter sports or high-altitude sports
• Wearing wet clothing
• Suffering from a condition that affects your mental status, such as:
  • Head injury
  • Mental illness
  • Use of mind-altering drugs or alcohol
• Inability to move
• Using drugs that cause your blood vessels to become constricted (such as nicotine )
• Medical conditions, such as:
  • Malnutrition
  • Thyroid problems
  • Infection
  • Disease of the blood vessels
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes