Recognizing Frostbite

For Everyone

Key points

Protect yourself from frostbite. When outdoors, wear warm clothing, such as hats, gloves and jackets. Avoid staying outside unprotected for long periods. At the first signs of skin redness or pain, get out of the cold and protect any exposed skin. Watch for skin that has turned white or grayish, and feels firm, waxy or numb. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.

Script

Available Media

Audio

This is an important message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Protect yourself from frostbite. When outdoors, wear warm clothing, such as hats, gloves and jackets. Avoid staying outside unprotected for long periods. At the first signs of skin redness or pain, get out of the cold and protect any exposed skin. Watch for skin that has turned white or grayish, and feels firm, waxy or numb. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms. To learn more, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Content Source
National Center for Environmental Health
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: February 5, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: August 26, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.