COLD: We’ve had enough of winter! In this cold weather, WellNow Urgent Care offers some tips to stay safe.

Don’t go outside if the temperature is -10 F. Prolonged exposure can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. Windchill can cause you to lose body heat faster and put you at risk for serious ailments.

Warm up slowly after being out in the cold. Bundle up in blankets, drink hot tea or add extra layers of clothing. You shouldn’t shock your system by jumping into a hot shower. Blood vessels constrict to preserve heat in the cold and a hot shower could shock your circulatory system and cause dizziness, light-headedness or fainting.  

Watch out for frostbite. Frostbite occurs when there is prolonged or extreme exposure to the cold, typically in fingers, toes, ears and nose. Frostbite presents as red or pale skin and tingling or numbness occurs. Windchill leads to rapid heat loss in the body, cold or chapped skin, shivering and tingling or numbness in fingers and toes.

Black ice is also extremely dangerous and can lead to slips and falls that can cause serious injuries including fractures and breaks. Always salt or sand walkways, hold handrails, and avoid stepping in areas that appear to be icy or wet. If you suspect an injury might be more serious than a bump or bruise, contact a medical professional to have it evaluated. WellNow Urgent Care provides x-rays at all of our locations.

Bundle up. Your body’s first response is to protect your vital organs. To conserve heat, blood vessels in the extremities constrict, reducing blood flow to these areas making them vulnerable to frostbite. Wear heavy gloves and socks to protect fingers and toes to reduce risk of permanent nerve damage from frostbite.