Tips to protect your hands and fingers during winter

Whether it’s an icy accident or frostbite due to exposure, winter can be dangerous, especially for your fingers and hands. SSM Health hand surgeon Dr. Morgan Weber sees a lot of the same types of severe injuries this time of year. She offers a few tips to stay safe as the temperatures drop.

"As an orthopedic hand surgeon, as soon as it gets cold, I see frostbite to the digits, snow blower accidents that can sever fingers, and wrist and hand fractures from slipping on ice,” says Dr. Weber. "Our hands are incredibly important, and these can be devastating, lifechanging injuries. These are often injuries that damage tissue so badly that amputation is required so prevention is really important here.”

Preventing Frostbite

Frostbite happens when the fingers or hands are exposed to freezing conditions for too long with inadequate gloves or mittens. The body responds to the cold by narrowing the blood vessels and decreasing flow to the extremities like the fingers. Fluid in the tissue can then freeze and ice crystals form causing severe tissue damage. Bad frostbite can destroy blood vessels in the fingers leading to gangrene and amputation.

Dr. Weber says many of the frostbite cases she sees are the result of inadequate hand coverage. She recommends getting good, well-insulated gloves or mittens made to protect against low temperatures but says even the best handwear may not be enough. Dr. Weber also recommends limiting time outdoors when the temperature or windchill is below freezing.

“Any symptoms of redness, stinging, burning, or numbness and you should head indoors immediately,” she says. “If you are outside and having pain in your fingers and suddenly your pain goes away, that is when things get especially dangerous. This indicates your nerve endings are numb and tissue may be freezing.”

Knowing the Signs of Frostbite

Dr. Weber advises everyone to know the telltale signs of frostnip and frostbite.

Frostnip is a warning sign of impending frostbite, and symptoms include:

• Red or pale skin
• Stinging, burning
• Mild numbness

In these early stages the damage is typically reversible. When the skin actually freezes, we call that frostbite, which is much more dangerous. Symptoms of frostbite include:

• Firm, hard, or waxy skin
• Severe swelling
• Blistering
• Color changes such as white, red, blue, gray, black finger
• Severe numbness

The best initial treatment for frostnip and frostbite is to limit further exposure to the cold.

“Get inside and do it fast!” says Dr. Weber. “Protect the hand by removing any wet clothing and wrapping the fingers in a warm, dry covering. If you suspect frostbite, do not attempt to rewarm the digit with hot water or a direct heat source as this can cause more damage to the tissues. The rewarming process, typically done with warm water, can be quite painful as blood returns to the frozen tissue. I strongly recommend undergoing the rewarming process at the hospital to prevent any further damage.”

Snow Blower Injuries to the Hand

Another cause of injuries - snow blowers. Accidents often happen when users try to unclog the chute using fingers and hands. The result is often deep laceration or complete amputation of fingers.

“Most people with snow blower injuries did turn the machine off prior to attempting to unclog the machine. What they didn’t realize, is that the blades can still spin even when the machine is off.”

If you need to unclog your snow blower, Dr. Weber advises the following:

• Turn the machine off and wait for the blades to stop spinning.
• Never unclog the machine with your hand!
• Use a stick, broom handle, or similar tool to clear any snow.

Slipping on Ice

Dr. Weber regularly sees people with injured wrists and hands that occur from slips on the icy walkways.

“We have a tendency to break our fall with our hands in order to protect our head and face. This often results in broken wrists,” says Dr. Weber. “Avoid ice completely whenever possible, but if you can’t, get boots that have good traction.”

If you must walk on ice, Dr. Weber suggests you avoid carrying things like shopping bags to keep your hands free for balance.

“Always use a handrail on stairs, never run, and most importantly concentrate on what you are doing!” she advises. “Wait to send that text, don’t scroll on social media, and really pay attention to your surroundings.”

If you think you have a broken bone or continue to have pain or tenderness after a fall, you should be evaluated with an X-ray.

“This is not the time to be tough! Waiting too long can cause unnecessary pain, the bones can begin healing in poor alignment, and it can be much harder to treat when treatment is delayed,” notes Dr. Weber.

Watch Dr. Weber’s recent television interview in Madison, Wisconsin where she talked about hand safety during the winter months.

If you’ve experienced an injury that is not an emergency, an SSM Health orthopedic surgeon may help you regain mobility and reduce pain.