Frostbite and Hypothermia Warning Signs You Must Know

10 min read

Last updated November 8, 2026

Extreme cold can harm the body faster than most people expect. Two of the biggest dangers are frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite damages skin and the tissue underneath. Hypothermia happens when the whole body loses heat faster than it can make it.

Both can sneak up on you, especially when you are busy outside. This guide explains the warning signs, who is at risk and what to do right away.

Key Takeaways

Hypothermia starts when body temperature drops below 95 degrees.
Shivering, confusion and slurred speech are warning signs.
Frostbite often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes.
Never rub frostbitten skin or warm it with direct heat.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency, so get help fast.

30 minutesHow fast exposed skin can freeze at a wind chill of 19 below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

What Is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature. It begins below 95 degrees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hypothermia guide.

Cold air, cold water, wind and wet clothes all pull heat from the body. Over time, the body cannot keep up.

Low body temperature affects the brain. That is why people with hypothermia often do not realize what is happening.

Warning Signs in Adults

Shivering
Exhaustion or feeling very tired
Confusion
Fumbling hands
Memory loss
Slurred speech
Drowsiness

Warning Signs in Babies

Babies show different signs. Look for bright red, cold skin and very low energy.

Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms are at risk. Keep their rooms warm and dress them in safe sleep layers.

How cold does it get where you live in winter?

Below zero often
Freezing but rarely below zero
Mild winters
Not sure

What Is Frostbite?

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing. It causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas.

According to the federal frostbite prevention guide, it most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. Severe cases can permanently damage the body.

Warning Signs of Frostbite

Redness or pain in any skin area, often the first sign
Skin that looks white or grayish-yellow
Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
Numbness

Numbness is the tricky part. People often do not know they have frostbite until someone else points it out.

Quick tip. Use the buddy system in bitter cold. Check each other’s faces for pale or waxy patches every so often.

Hypothermia vs. Frostbite at a Glance

Feature	Hypothermia	Frostbite
What it affects	The whole body	Specific skin areas
Key signs	Shivering, confusion, slurred speech	Numbness, white or waxy skin
Main danger	Heart and brain problems	Tissue damage
Urgency	Medical emergency	Needs medical care

The two conditions can happen together. Anyone with frostbite should also be checked for hypothermia.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Anyone can develop these conditions in severe cold. Some groups face higher risk, according to federal health guidance.

Older adults without enough food, clothing or heat
Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
People who spend long hours outdoors, like hikers, hunters and people experiencing homelessness
People with poor blood circulation
People who drink alcohol or use illegal drugs
Anyone not dressed for extreme cold

Check on elderly neighbors and relatives during cold snaps. A quick call or visit can catch problems early.

Some medicines and health conditions can also affect how well the body handles cold. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns before winter arrives.

People who live alone deserve extra attention. Set up a daily check-in during extreme cold so no one goes unnoticed. A short daily text or phone call works fine for most busy families and friends.

How Wind Chill Raises the Risk

Wind makes cold air feel even colder. Wind chill measures how fast wind and cold pull heat from skin. That definition comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) cold weather guide.

For example, 0 degrees with a 15 mile-per-hour wind feels like 19 below zero. At that wind chill, exposed skin can freeze in about 30 minutes.

The weather service notes that frostbite depends on the actual air temperature. If the air is above freezing, frostbite will not happen, though hypothermia still can.

Good to know. Wind chill tests were done on adults. Children, older adults and people with health conditions need extra caution.

First Aid for Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, they need medical attention right away.

What to Do

Call 911 or get medical help as soon as possible.
Move the person into a warm room or shelter.
Remove any wet clothing.
Warm the center of the body first, including the chest, neck, head and groin.
Use an electric blanket if available, or skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers.
Offer warm drinks only if the person is awake.

Once body temperature rises, keep the person dry. Wrap them in a warm blanket that covers the head and neck.

What Not to Do

Do not give alcohol.
Do not give drinks to someone who is unconscious.

If the person has no pulse or is not breathing, call emergency services right away. Handle them gently and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while you continue warming them.

Call 911
Move to a warm place
Remove wet clothing
Warm the chest, neck, head and groin
Warm drinks if awake, no alcohol
Wrap in a dry blanket

First Aid for Frostbite

Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible. A health care provider should check frostbite.

What to Do

Check for signs of hypothermia first.
Place affected areas in warm water that feels comfortable to unaffected skin.
If warm water is not available, use body heat, like tucking fingers into an armpit.
Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary.

What Not to Do

Do not rub or massage the area.
Do not rub it with snow.
Do not use hot water.
Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, fireplace, stove or radiator.

Numb skin can burn easily because the person cannot feel the heat. Gentle warming is safer.

What is the safest way to warm frostbitten fingers?

Rub them with snow
Hold them near a fireplace
Soak them in comfortably warm water

Comfortably warm water is safe. Direct heat and rubbing can cause more damage.

How to Prevent Cold Injuries

Prevention is far easier than treatment. Plan ahead whenever the forecast turns bitter.

Dress in Layers

Wear several loose, lightweight, warm layers. Trapped air between layers acts as insulation.

Choose a tightly woven, water-repellent, hooded outer layer. Remove a layer before you start to sweat, since damp clothes chill you.

Cover Your Extremities

Wear a hat and cover your ears. A scarf or mask over your mouth protects your lungs from extreme cold.

The weather service says mittens that are snug at the wrist are better than gloves. Wear warm, waterproof boots and dry socks.

Limit Time Outside

Take frequent breaks indoors during very cold or windy weather. Watch the forecast for wind chill warnings.

Our guides to shoveling snow safely and building a winter car emergency kit can help you prepare.

Stay Dry and Fed

Wet clothing pulls heat away from your body quickly. Change out of wet clothes as soon as you can.

Eat regular meals and drink fluids. Your body needs fuel to stay warm.

Which is better for keeping hands warm in extreme cold?

Thin gloves
Mittens snug at the wrist
Bare hands in pockets

The National Weather Service says mittens snug at the wrist are better than gloves.

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When to Get Help

Call 911 right away if someone shows signs of hypothermia. That includes confusion, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness or a body temperature below 95 degrees.

Also call for help if the person is unconscious, not breathing or has no pulse. Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you are trained.

See a health care provider for any frostbite. Get care quickly if skin stays white, hard or numb, or if blisters form after warming.

This article shares general health information, not medical advice. Contact a health care provider about any cold injury.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Cold

Children lose body heat faster than adults. They also tend to keep playing even when they are cold and wet.

Dress kids in one more layer than you would wear. Add a hat, mittens and waterproof boots.

Call them inside for warm-up breaks often. Check fingers, toes, ears and cheeks for redness or pale patches.

Change wet clothes right away. Snow that melts into gloves and socks chills the skin quickly.

Tips for Outdoor Workers and Athletes

People who work or exercise outside face long exposure. Construction workers, delivery drivers, runners and hunters all need a plan.

Take regular breaks in a warm place. Keep extra dry socks and gloves on hand.

Watch coworkers and teammates for warning signs. Confusion or clumsy hands can mean hypothermia is starting.

Runners should start into the wind and finish with it at their back. That way, sweaty clothes do not face the coldest air on the way home.

Common Myths About Cold Injuries

Myth. Alcohol warms you up.

Alcohol may make you feel warm, but it does not protect you. Health officials list drinking alcohol as a risk factor for hypothermia and frostbite.

Myth. Rubbing snow on frostbite helps.

Rubbing can damage the skin further. Federal health guidance specifically warns against it.

Myth. You cannot get hypothermia above freezing.

Hypothermia can happen in cool weather, especially when you are wet or in wind. Cold water pulls heat away very quickly.

Myth. If it does not hurt, it is fine.

Numbness is a warning sign, not a good sign. Check skin color and texture, not just how it feels.

Cold Weather Safety at Home

Not all cold injuries happen outdoors. A cold house can be dangerous too, especially for older adults and babies.

Keep the home heated to a safe temperature. If you use a space heater, follow our space heater safety tips to prevent fires.

Close off unused rooms to save heat. Use extra blankets and wear warm layers indoors during power outages.

Plan Ahead for Power Outages

Winter storms can knock out power for hours or days. A plan keeps your family warm and safe.

Gather blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights and extra batteries before storms arrive. Store water and foods that do not need cooking.

Never use a grill, camp stove or generator indoors. These can cause deadly carbon monoxide buildup.

If your home gets too cold, go to a warming center or a friend’s house. Many cities open warming centers during extreme cold.

Recovering From a Cold Injury

Recovery depends on how serious the injury was. Mild frostbite may heal in days, while deeper injuries take longer.

Follow your health care provider’s instructions closely. Keep the area clean and protected from further cold.

Skin that had frostbite may be more sensitive to cold later. Take extra care to cover it on chilly days.

Try this today. Put a spare hat, mittens and a blanket in your car. Add them to your winter checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature causes hypothermia?

Hypothermia begins when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. It can happen even in cool, wet or windy weather.

How fast can frostbite happen?

At a wind chill of 19 below zero, exposed skin can freeze in about 30 minutes. That estimate comes from the National Weather Service.

Should you rub frostbitten skin?

No. Rubbing can cause more damage. Warm the area gently in comfortable warm water instead.

Can you get hypothermia indoors?

Yes. Older adults and babies in cold homes are at risk, especially during power outages.

What are the first signs of frostbite?

Redness or pain in the skin is often the first sign. Numbness, white skin or a waxy feel may follow.

Conclusion

Frostbite and hypothermia are serious but preventable. Know the warning signs, from shivering and confusion to numb, waxy skin.

Dress in layers, limit time in bitter cold and check on vulnerable neighbors. If you suspect hypothermia, call 911 right away.

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Editor’s Note

This article is accurate as of November 8, 2026. It draws on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Weather Service. It is general health information, not medical advice.

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