There are some frostbite remedies to help repair skin and tissue damage due to extreme cold. However, it depends on the severity of a frostbite. If it shows blisters or any other deterioration, please call a practitioner immediately. A frostbite can seriously damage the connective tissues and, in some cases, even lead to amputation.

What are frostbites?

Frostbites occur as a result of cold damage to tissues, when extreme cold alters blood circulation. The affected areas are commonly the extremities, such as fingers, nose, toes, and ears. When the dermis is frozen, the skin becomes numb and less sensitive. For a first-degree frostbite, the skin usually becomes red and swollen.

What does a frostbite look like? Check this link : Frostbite (from Wikipedia)

When you live in a cold country where the temperature drop far beyond zero degrees, or if you just love mountaineering experiences on windy ice fields, frostbites can be quite common.

Here are different natural remedies for treating frostbites:

Frostbite remedies: healing nutrition

• Drink a warm drink (not hot) and avoid alcohol as it inhibits circulation.
• Take some cayenne pepper to improve blood circulation.
• Eat a well-balanced diet with proteins and minerals to rebuilt new tissues.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin C to speed healing.

Frostbite remedies: supplements

• Vitamin C helps healing.
• Niacin is good for skin health.

Frostbite remedies: herbal remedies

• Aloe Vera is soothing and helps tissue to regenerate. Aloe Vera gel can be applied at the frost bitten area.
• Horsetail can help rebuilding skin tissues because of its silica content. Silicic acids form collogen. Collagen is a protein that is vital to cellular regeneration of skin, connective tissue, bone and cartilage.
  
• Rose hip is rich in vitamin C and contains transeretinoic acids  that contribute to revitalization and growth of skin cells.
  
• Other teas: chamomile, feverfew, peppermint, sage, yarrow.

Frostbite remedies: homeopathy

• Apis or agavarius for burning and itching sensation.
• Pulsatilla or petroleum are also used.

Frostbite remedies: other home remedies

• Applied a cold mashed onion poultice. This is an old Norwegian remedy!
• A horsetail bath is soothing.
  
• Massage the affected area with camphor oil if the frostbite is not severe.
• Try to move constantly to keep blood moving and prevent frostbites.
• As soon as you feel "pins and needles" or you notice a white area on your skin, warm up the affected area slowly (frostbitten hands or feet can be warmed in the armpits) or use warm water (not hot) to restore circulation.
• Do not wear tight clothes; wear appropriate clothing in severe weather: thick wool or merinos socks, gloves with liners, down jacket, scarf and hat, that keep you warm!

External links

• The dangers of frostbites (from the University of Iowa)
• Danger: hypothermia, frostbite (from CBS News)

References

• Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
• Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
• Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
• Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
• Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995