Each year, the University of Colorado Burn Center within the CU Department of Surgery treats between 30 and 60 patients for frostbite — a dangerous condition that happens when skin is exposed to cold temperatures, damaging the skin as well as underlying tissue.
Frostbite is typically treated with topical therapy and medicine, but in some extreme cases, surgery — typically amputation of fingers and toes in which tissue has died — is necessary.
We spoke with Cameron Gibson, MD, assistant professor of surgery, about the dangers of frostbite, how it’s treated, and how to prevent it.