CLEVELAND — During an icy Chicago morning a few years ago, 28-year-old Jason Miller made the decision to take off his gloves while unloading packages from his delivery truck. It happened to be among the coldest days that year.

The temperature outside was a bone-chilling -10°F, but the wind chill plummeted to an unbearable 35 degrees below zero. The effects were swift. Jason’s fingers began to ache and lose sensation. Before long, movement was nearly impossible.

Once he returned to the interior of his truck, his fingers appeared pale and waxy. At the hospital, his fears were confirmed: he had frostbite.

While Jason managed to recover after warming up, the severe cold left a lasting impact, resulting in permanent numbness in two of his fingers.

Frostbite is a cold-related injury that happens when your skin and the tissue beneath it literally freeze. It most often affects fingers, toes, ears, noses and cheeks, which are the areas farthest from your body’s core warmth. The process of ice crystal formation inside cells begins when the body temperature drops below 32°F (0°C), which cuts off both oxygen and blood circulation. The real damage begins at this stage.  

The development of frostbite happens faster than people normally expect.  

In extreme wind chills, around -20°F or lower, frostbite can begin in as little as 5 to 10 minutes. The skin will freeze when exposed to temperatures slightly below freezing for an extended period when it remains moist or exposed. The colder and windier it is, the faster this happens.  

Each year, an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 frostbite cases are treated in hospitals across the United States, though, we assume, many more milder cases go unreported.  

• Outdoor workers (such as construction crews, delivery drivers and utility workers). 

• People who experience homelessness along with those who lack access to stable housing. 

• People who hike, ski and participate in other winter activities. 

• Children and older adults, whose bodies don’t regulate temperature as well.  

• Smokers and people with diabetes or poor circulation, which slows blood flow to extremities. 

Frostbite often sneaks up on you. Your skin loses sensitivity to cold temperatures before you detect any strange sensations.  

The skin shows redness, and patients experience tingling sensations and prickling feelings. The skin develops an abnormal stiffness which feels like being frozen.  

Mild Frostbite causes the skin to turn pale and develop a grayish-yellow or waxy appearance. The outer surface of the skin has a rough texture, but the inside sections remain soft to the touch. You may lose feeling completely. The skin of severe frostbite cases turns white or bluish-gray before it progresses to black because tissue death occurs. Blisters will develop and permanent injuries to skin tissues, muscles and bones can result. Take immediate action when you experience numbness, stiffness or color changes. Get to someplace warm! 

You can treat mild frostbite at home. This requires immediate intervention for the best results. Get out of the cold immediately. Find protection by moving inside or seeking a heated shelter. Remove all wet clothing and replace it with dry loose layers. Warm the affected areas gradually. Soak your fingers, toes or ears in warm (not hot) water, about 100°F for 15 to 30 minutes. You will experience some pain or tingling sensations when blood starts to return to the area, which means the treatment is working. Avoid rubbing or massaging frostbitten skin, as this can cause further tissue damage. Stay hydrated and keep warm. Drink warm fluids and wrap up in blankets. You should seek medical help if your skin develops blisters, black spots or stays numb after physical activity. Avoid using direct heat sources including heating pads and fireplaces because frostbitten skin becomes highly susceptible to burns without showing any signs.  

The greatest danger from frostbite is losing skin, fingers or toes. But it can also lead to permanent nerve damage, chronic pain and cold sensitivity. Severe cases may even lead to hypothermia, when your core body temperature drops below 95°F. That’s a life-threatening emergency! The recovery process from frostbite leaves patients with long-term issues, including numbness, joint stiffness and long-lasting sensitivity to cold temperatures.  

It’s easy to prevent frostbite if you are prepared and fully understand the latest weather forecast. 

Protect yourself from cold weather by dressing in multiple layers and using insulated gloves, boots, hats and neck and face coverings.

Store spare mittens in your vehicle and backpack just in case.

Always check the wind chill forecast to determine your actual frostbite risk.  

Remember: Frostbite can strike anyone who spends time outdoors during the coldest parts of Winter. The short period of freezing temperatures in Jason’s situation led to permanent damage to parts of his body. Protect yourself and stay prepared. Your awareness is the most effective defense against cold temperatures when they drop to dangerous levels. 

 Mark Johnson is a meteorologist from WKYC in Cleveland. Check your local forecast from your trusted weather team here.