Doctor warns of frostbite, hypothermia risks as bitter cold temperatures persist

Taylor Liberti News10NBC

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bitter cold temperatures have settled in, bringing potential dangers like frostbite and hypothermia for those spending too much time outside.

Chief of Emergency Medicine at Highland Hospital, Dr. Joshua Zwart, shared important signs to watch for.

“The first sign of cold weather exposure that is starting to affect your body is cold stress, which is a little bit of decrease of temperature in your body,” he said. “You might start having shivering and starting to feel like you’re struggling to control your temperature. That’s the very first sign of early hypothermia and that’s when you need to head inside.”

Dr. Zwart advises anyone experiencing symptoms of hypothermia to seek warmth immediately. He also emphasizes the importance of dressing warmly with appropriate clothing.

“A warm hat. Mittens are better than gloves, just keeping your fingers together, and a bulky coat with lots of insulated layer’s underneath,” he advised.

Symptoms of hypothermia, according to the Mayo Clinic:

  • Shivering
  • Slurred speech or mumbling
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Weak pulse
  • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Drowsiness or low energy
  • Confusion or memory loss
  • Loss of conciousness
  • In infants: bright red, cold skin

If you have to be outside, Dr. Zwart recommends taking warming breaks.

“People who do have to be outside this time of year for work, you should plan to have scheduled breaks and to make sure that you’re rewarming,” he says. “Sometimes those cold changes could be imperceptible initially so you could notice your fingers and toes are getting cold but you may not feel it right away. So, even if you’re not feeling cold, you should be taking regular breaks and rewarming.”

Monroe County’s “Code Blue” is activated whenever temps drop below 26 degrees. Anyone in need of shelter can board an RTS bus and request to be taken to a warming shelter. No ID, passes, or money is required.

For a list of the RTS bus routes throughout Monroe County, click here. For an interactive map, click here.

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