Overview
Skin is an important and delicate body organ. Children, especially babies, are susceptible to skin damage during winter weather. Damage does not require prolonged exposure. According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, frostbite and frostnip injuries can happen in a matter of minutes during extreme winter conditions. Protecting your child’s skin in the winter requires careful preparation.
Function
The function of the skin, according to the National Institutes of Health, is to protect the organs and to assist the body in regulating temperature. The body loses heat quickly in the winter, but body cooling is slowed when the skin uses a contraction mechanism. This contraction lowers the amount of heat lost by keeping body heat restricted to the lower levels of the skin. However, this process can create problems for children if their skin is exposed to the winter cold for prolonged periods.
Time Frame
The concept of prolonged exposure differs for children of different ages. The Children’s Hospital Boston recommends that babies and infants not leave the house when the weather is colder than 40 degrees, regardless of the limited time of exposure to the weather. When temperatures drop and wind moves the air at high speeds, it takes only minutes for exposed skin to contract and damage to result. The face is a particular problem for children. The body, hands and head may be covered, but a child’s face is usually exposed with most outdoor wear.
Significance
Winter weather can be extremely dangerous for kids. Small bodies, especially when active, rapidly lose heat. Nemours KidsHealth warns that the loss of just four or five degrees in body temperature can create an extreme reaction. Dizziness, chattering teeth, weakness and shivering are all signs of loss of body heat and potential skin damage. Children should be trained to come indoors before severe skin damage occurs in the form of frostnip or frostbite.
Prevention
Children should be prepared for outdoor play. Lotion can protect the skin from drying. Proper outdoor clothing should be worn, including gloves, hats, face mask, socks, boots and layers for the legs and torso. The staff of the Children’s Hospital Boston suggests dressing kids in several layers of clothing to protect the skin. As a child becomes heated during outdoor play, a layer of clothing can be removed while still protecting the skin from winter wind or icy snow. Monitor reports of the National Weather Service before allowing children outside for winter play, and set time limits based on the severity of the weather.
Treatments
When skin becomes damaged by winter weather, treatment is determined by the type and severity of the injury. Frostnip–a mild form of frostbite that leaves the skin numb and drained of color–and frostbite are the most common skin-damaging conditions for children, according to KidsHealth. Frostbite is a condition in which the skin tissue freezes, usually on the fingers, face and ears. The toes are also frequently affected. Numbness and pain are signs of skin damage; immediate treatment involves moving the frosted tissue to assist the blood flow back into the area. Holding the area–not rubbing–against the warm torso is also recommended. Never place the area under hot water, which can cause permanent damage. A doctor should be consulted to assess damage to the child’s skin.
