(WSIL)---Below freezing temperatures can be dangerous for everyone--but especially for those with preexisting health conditions.
Having disorders such as high blood pressure and diabetes can make it hard to tell if you have wounds such as frostbite, because your nerves are not able to tell your body something is wrong.
And when it comes to frostbite and other wounds related to cold, early treatment is key.
"Earlier we can get to their wounds, the much better chance we have of healing wounds and helping them and stopping infection. And there are other things that can lead to worse outcomes so I would definitely recommend early intervention and not necessarily trying to care for them at home," said Dr. Jason Cumbers, a vascular surgeon from the Baptist Health Wound Center.
And regardless of whether you have preexisting conditions, make sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible when out in below freezing temperatures, in order to prevent frostbite.
