UCHealth in Aurora sees record number of frostbite patients
AURORA, Colo. (KRDO) -- UCHealth says more than two dozen patients were hospitalized due to frostbite Monday at the Anschutz Campus in Aurora.
According to UCHealth, 26 patients are at the Burn and Frostbite Center, which is a record for the medical center. UCHealth says the intense cold this month has led to the spike in patients.
UCHealth says frostbite can happen fast: at -5 degrees and a wind speed of 30 mph, frostbite can start in 10 minutes.
Colton Carver and his roommates are visiting Colorado from Texas.
"We knew it was going to be cold, but we didn’t think it was going to be this cold," said Carver. "When we got here it was like -6.”
While most people know how dangerous frostbite can be, fewer people know the signs to watch out for.
"Redness. That’s all I know," said Troy Everts when asked about the signs of frostbite.
Symptoms include numbness, pale color to the skin, clumsy movements, pain that persists for 45 minutes after rewarming, or increased discoloration after rewarming.
If you suspect you have frostbite, UCHealth says you should remove wet clothing and get into a warm environment, avoid rubbing the area, and immediately seek medical attention.
