You can get sick from super-cold wind, water, and/or air. This is called cold stress. It can impact you in many ways depending on the climate, your clothing, any medical conditions and how long you are out there.
Here are the top diseases that are related to the common cold.
Chilblains
Pernio, also known as Chilblains or Chilblains, is when the blood vessels of your skin become inflamed from being exposed to cold temperatures. These small blood vessels, also known as capillary beds, can become reddened and itchy or swell. These patches usually appear on your cheeks, fingers, ears, toes and toes. Blisters may also appear.
Chilblains may catch you by surprise, but it doesn’t need to be freezing for you to get them. If your skin is exposed to temperatures as high as 60 F for a prolonged period of time, they can be visible.
Ulcers may develop in severe cases. They will usually disappear within a few weeks, especially when temperatures rise. However, the reddening and itching could return with the next cold snap.
Cold Urticaria
This condition is most common in young adults. This happens when the skin becomes sensitive to cold and erupts in welts. Itchy reddish areas appear like hives. While drinking cold beverages, your hands might become puffy. You might also notice swelling in your throat or lips when you drink or eat something cold.
Although the condition is often reversible with age, severe reactions can occur. Cold water can cause serious reactions. Frosty air can also be a factor. It can cause your body to shut down.
Frostbite
It is difficult because it is not felt. The skin and tissue affected will become numb. It is most likely to hit your fingers, toes, or any part of your face that pokes out like your cheeks, nose, ears, or cheeks. Exposure can cause severe injury. Amputation (completely removing the body part) is necessary in extreme cases.
Keep an eye out for yellowish-gray skin, waxy skin, or a lack of feeling in one part of your body. You can avoid this by dressing appropriately for cold temperatures, especially if your blood circulation is poor.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is when your body temperature has dropped below the normal range. This can be caused by prolonged cold exposure. Your body loses heat quicker than it can make. You also notice a slowing in your thinking and movement. This can make it difficult to see what is happening.
This condition is progressive. It depends on how long you are exposed.
Your heart can also be affected by cold weather. Heart disease can cause discomfort and chest pain.
The first signs of hypothermia include shivers. This is likely to be your first sign that temperatures are dropping. The following symptoms are indicative of mild hypothermia.
- Feeling confused and dizzy
- Trouble speaking and moving
- Feeling hungry and exhausted
- Nausea
- Rapid heart rate
The shivers stopping suddenly are signs of hypothermia Also,
- You may have slurred speech. You might mumble.
- You become sleepy and stop caring about the world around you.
- Your breathing becomes shallower and slower.
- Your heart rate drops and becomes weaker.
Trench Foot
This is also known as “immersion foot” and can occur when your feet are left exposed to cold or wet conditions for too long. Trench foot can occur even when your feet are already damp.
The heat that is lost by wet feet is 25 times faster than those of dry feet. Your body then switches to heat preservation mode. It stops circulation to your feet, as well as oxygen and nutrition.
Trench foot can be identified by:
- Red, numb, swollen skin
- Tingling pain
- Leg cramps
- Listers and Ulcers
- Gangrene (tissues that are found in your feet begin to die, causing them to turn deep purple, gray, or blue).