T34: Frostbite with tissue necrosis

Frostbite with tissue necrosis refers to a group of conditions brought on by exposure to extreme cold, resulting in severe injury to body tissues, most frequently the skin and underlying tissues of the hands, feet, ears, and face. The cold causes the affected body parts to freeze, damaging the cells and potentially resulting in tissue death, a process known as necrosis. Symptoms typically include changes in skin color from white or yellow to black, cold and firm skin, loss of sensation, blistering, and hardening of tissues. As the condition progresses, the affected area may become completely numb, and gangrene can set in, a serious complication where the tissue turns black and dies. The musculoskeletal, vascular, and nervous systems can all be affected, particularly if the frostbite penetrates to the bone. The severity of these conditions can range from mild to severe based on the depth of tissue freeze.