Doctors explain dangers of hypothermia and frost bite - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Doctors explain dangers of hypothermia and frost bite

Posted: Updated:
By Lauren Hensley, Reporter - email

  • Saturday, May 25 2013 7:47 PM EDT2013-05-25 23:47:22 GMT
    One man died and another is behind bars Saturday after a son shoots and kills his father at their Overlook Drive home in Stanaford.Raleigh County Sheriff's Deputies said 23-year-old Donald Gray Dunn, Jr.
    One man died and another is behind bars Saturday after a son shoots and kills his father at their Overlook Drive home in Stanaford.Raleigh County Sheriff's Deputies said 23-year-old Donald Gray Dunn, Jr.
BECKELY -

It's also important to stay warm in this weather and understand the dangers of hypothermia and frost bite. Hypothermia takes place when your body temperature drops below ninety-five degrees.

Frost bite is the freezing of your skin -- usually in fingers, toes, and ear lobes. Doctors said be careful when you are outside.Sometimes in this cold weather its hard to tell how cold is too cold.

"I would stay indoors if you don't have to come out. even pets you need to make sure they are taken care of I put mine inside the garage with blankets. Little kids too and little babies they should not be out in the cold if they don't need to be," Dr. Ayne Amjad, Internal Medicine said.

Signs of frostbite include a loss of feeling and a whitening in your fingers and toes. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering and drowsiness.

Experts said it usually takes 3 to 4 hours before you start feeling showing the signs.

They also urge people outside to bundle up.  Wearing a hat is imperative.  Cover up using gloves and scarves, Doctors said not to leave any part of your body exposed for long periods of time.