If the frostbite stop during the hot season and meet all the classic criteria (occurring in a young person, most often a woman, in a context of acrocyanosis, on the feet …), it is considered to be just a benign cold vascular disorder.

If you table is not typical, for example in the event of frostbite on the hands or occurring throughout the year, the doctor will look for associated signs (joint pain, arterial disease, etc.).

In fact, it is considered that atypical frostbite-type manifestations can be a sign of underlying diseases:

·       lupus-frostbite localized especially on the dorsal face of the hands and persisting in summer

·       syndrome myéloprolifératif

Disease of Buerger in young smokers,

·       cholesterol embolism on a field of cardiovascular pathology often from the fifties …

Medical treatments for frostbite

 1 / Prevention

Preventive treatment is essential:

·       wide, comfortable and warm shoes are worn

· Making insoles or orthotics to protect the toes when frostbite always recurs on a toe or on an area of ​​the plant

·       avoiding vasoconstrictor drugs such as oral or local beta-blockers (eye drops prescribed for glaucoma, for example), rye ergot derivatives, and ENT vasoconstrictors by oral or nasal route (treatment of the common cold).

If these measures are not sufficient, the doctor may prescribe vasodilatateurs such as calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, etc.) from autumn to spring out of AMM.

2 / Treatment of frostbite

2.1 / mild frostbite

The doctor may prescribe the application of healing compresses and dressings, sometimes with cortisone creams below.

2.2 / Ulcerated ulcers

Drug treatment is also based on calcium channel blockers (nifedipine) at a higher dose than in prevention.