Cold injuries.

Abstract

Until recently, military personnel have had the greatest risk for cold injuries. During the past two decades, however, destitute persons without adequate clothing or shelter, and sports enthusiasts participating in snowmobiling, mountain climbing, and skiing have been responsible for the increased incidence of cold exposure seen in a large civilian population. Consequently, cold injury remains a crippling problem. Although research is opening new avenues of accurate diagnosis and expeditious treatment, the standard against which these methods must be measured continues to be a rational treatment plan that often prevents the sequelae of cold injuries.