Beating health risks that come with frigid temps

Some pretty serious health risks, like frostbite, come with the frigid temps.

It doesn’t take long for it to kick in and sometimes people don’t even realize it’s happening.

“Most of the time, they are a delayed-type situation, “I’d been out skiing, I skied last weekend and it’s just not getting any better,'” Troy Walker, who treats frostbite at Mountain View Hospital. “We can help those.”

This doesn’t just apply to skiers. It can happen to anyone doing anything that will put someone outside for an extended period of time. Things like shoveling the driveway or walking the dog.

“In these frigid temperatures, people don’t realize how long they’ve been out. Things start to get cold, their ears, their fingers, their toes,” Walker said. “The damage that frostbite does depends on how long you’re out.”

“Early medical treatment is really important,” Dr. Rebecca Adams said. “The longer you wait, the more damage is done, and some serious damage can happen.”