Fingertips turning white and hard on a ski slope or winter hill raise the fear of frostbite. The NHS says frostbite can happen when you are exposed to temperatures of 0C (32F) or below, and most often affects the fingers, toes, nose and ears. At first the skin feels cold and firm, numb or stinging; as it gets worse, it can freeze hard, look white or blue, and blister. Go to A&E for hard, frozen skin or blisters, and while you wait, warm the area in warm, not hot, water. Don’t rub it, warm it by a fire, radiator or hot water bottle, have a hot bath or drink alcohol. This sets out the NHS page “Frostbite”.
1. Can happen at 0C or below; fingers, toes, nose and ears are most affected.
2. Warm in warm (not hot) water, dry, cover lightly and raise the area.
3. No rubbing, fire, radiator, hot water bottle, hot bath or alcohol. Frozen skin, numbness or blisters: A&E.
Symptoms — NHS
| Stage | Symptoms (NHS) | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Skin feels cold and firm | — |
| Early | Numbness, stinging or burning; pain, throbbing or aching | — |
| Early | Red or pale skin | Redness is harder to see on black or brown skin |
| Worse | Hard, frozen skin — white, blue or blotchy | Also an emergency sign |
| Worse | Swelling and loss of feeling | — |
| Worse | Blisters with blood or clear or milky fluid | — |
| Worse | Skin turning black and hard as it dies | — |
The NHS doesn’t give formal stages, only early signs and signs it is getting worse. Itchy, swollen fingers and toes in the cold are chilblains, which have separate advice.
When to go to A&E — NHS
Call 999 or go to A&E if you’ve been in very cold temperatures and have:
- Hard, frozen skin
- Swelling and loss of feeling
- Blisters with blood or clear or milky fluid
- Constant shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, tiredness or confusion — possible hypothermia
The last point links to hypothermia. The page doesn’t mention NHS 111.
While you wait for help — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Get indoors or to shelter as quickly as possible | — |
| Do | Remove gloves, rings, boots and other tight items | Read as: before it swells |
| Do | Wrap up in warm blankets or dry towels; tuck hands under your armpits | — |
| Do | Warm in warm, not hot, water, then dry and cover lightly | No temperature given |
| Do | Raise the area to reduce swelling | — |
| Do | Paracetamol for pain, no aspirin under 16; drink something warm or water | — |
| Don’t | Rub the area | — |
| Don’t | Warm it with a fire, radiator, hot water bottle or heat lamp | No reason given on the page |
| Don’t | Have a hot bath; drink alcohol | Same as the hypothermia advice |
Prevention — NHS
- Wear several loose layers with a waterproof outer layer
- Protect your head, neck and face with a hat and scarf
- Gloves or mittens; thick socks and boots
- Eat and drink regularly during long periods in the cold
The NHS says a body part that has had frostbite is more likely to get it again if exposed to cold, and that frostbite gets worse the colder it is and the longer you’re exposed. Korean cold-illness figures are in cold-related illness.
Checklist
- ☐ Long spells at 0C or below: check fingers, toes, nose and ears
- ☐ Take off rings, gloves and anything tight first
- ☐ Warm, not hot, water; no rubbing
- ☐ Frozen skin, numbness or blisters: A&E
- ☐ Layers, a waterproof outer layer, hat, gloves and thick socks
Questions that remain
Should you rub it with snow?
The NHS says don’t rub the area — with snow or anything else, as we read it (our reading).
How warm is “warm water”?
The page only says “warm, not hot” and gives no temperature.
Sources
- NHS — Frostbite — source (page shows: reviewed 9 June 2025, next review 9 June 2028; checked 13 October 2026). 0C (32F), most affected areas, early and worsening symptoms, 4 emergency signs, dos and don’ts, aspirin under 16, prevention.
- Not read. Korean agency first-aid guidance on frostbite.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column.
Where else to check
- The nearest emergency department — for frozen skin or blisters.
Written on 13 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment.