Stocking the First-Aid
Kit with Remedies for Winter Exposure
Winter weather can vary dramatically, day by day. It is not uncommon
for one day to be warm and unseasonably sunny, so that everyone
goes out with the lightest clothing; only to be followed by an extreme
swing of temperature to the coldest, below-zero depths. Where I
live, this kind of fluctuation can take place within the span of
a few hours: its only natural that many people are caught off guard.
Sudden temperature changes in such extremes can create the conditions
for all the enjoyable outdoor activities that so many people love:
skiing, snowboarding, skating, or simply taking walks in the freshly
fallen snow. But these quickly changing conditions can also create
opportunities for injury and misery, which can be easily addressed
or avoided with good planning. If avoidance cant be managed, first
aid care is the next best thing.
Some of the most common and dangerous winter complaints are Frostbite
and Hypothermia: While everyone knows that dressing warmly is a
priority in cold temperatures, there are instances where we dont
often dress as we should, particularly if the weather is prone to
sudden changes. Outdoor winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding,
tobogganing, and skating involve a lot of exertion, enough movement
to keep the body feeling deceptively warm despite the freezing temperatures
around us. Kids and outdoor enthusiasts will always over do it:
I have a few memories from my childhood where I simply refused to
come inside, and spent much more time skating or tobogganing with
my friends even though I knew I was starting to feel cold and tired.
Those days always ended the same way: with painful, cramping hands
and feet that hurt for what seemed like hours, frostbitten from
too much exposure.
Children arent the only ones who suffer from the risks of frostbite
and hypothermiathose whose livelihoods depend on working outdoors,
such as construction workers or farmers, also run the risk. Smokers,
babies, and the elderly are most vulnerable, as their circulation
will be less than ideal as a result of the habit or age, or simply
because they may lack the ability to keep moving. The best precautions
always involve dressing appropriately, in a number of layers of
clothing that can be removed and replaced depending on how warm
or cold one feels. Choose appropriate fabrics which insulate the
body and wick moisture away from the skin so that the body does
not become chilledwool layers, for example, will insulate the body
even if the fibres become wet. If you cant move for any reason,
or if you fall into icy cold waters while skating, ice fishing,
or ski-dooing, then the risks of hypothermia and severe frostbite
increase dramatically; so it is only reasonable to prepare for any
contingency while outdoors.
Hypothermia is the condition of having an abnormally low body temperature.
It can come on very slowly, making it difficult to notice that its
happening. When the body becomes extraordinarily cold, all the systems
begin to slow down - eventually to the point where death can result.
Sometimes, hypothermia can actually save lives, especially where
the body shuts down heart and brain function in order to limit the
oxygen the body needs so that it can stay alive; in some of these
cases, children have been successfully revived because of the limitations
the hypothermia placed on their bodies.
Frostbite, or "chilblains", as our old books refer to
it, happens when a part of the body actually freezes. Mild frostbite
doesn't leave lasting damage, but severe frostbite can cause permanent
damage and may even lead to amputation.
Symptoms of Hypothermia: What to Look For
When the body is cold, it tries to generate heat by shivering -
it's trying to warm itself. When hypothermia sets in, the shivering
stops, as the body is now trying to conserve all the energy it can.
This is one of the first warning signs of hypothermia. Other signs
to look out for: disorientation and clumsiness, which takes place
as body temperature drops; and an irregular heartbeat which takes
place when breathing slows down. Frostbite and hypothermia can set
in in minutes, if the temperature is extremely cold.
Mild frostbite or "frostnip" makes the skin look pale
or waxy, but the colour returns once the skin is warm again. Severe
frostbite begins with white or waxy looking skin, but as the damage
progresses the colour becomes bluish, or grey. The cold feeling
is replaced with numbness, and blisters often form on the surface
of the extremity. when things progress to this degree, even more
damage can be caused. Trauma injuries can result: a frozen finger
can easily break in a fall; a frozen foot can suffer broken bones
if walked on. Blisters can burst if they are placed under the pressure
of a step, or inadvertently made to rub against the inside of a
boot.
Frostbitten skin will burn if it is not warmed up properly, so
this is no time to forget the Law of Similars: warm the frostbitten
skin with cold water or snow until circulation is restored to the
areado not try to use warm or hot water for this purpose as permanent
tissue damage will result. Keep in mind that as the body part warms
up, the affected area may swell, itch, burn, or cramp painfully
(which is what I remember to be my experience with this ailment)
In cases of extreme frostbite, the skin will turn black; gangrene
may set in, and amputation may be necessary.
Materia Medica
Agaricus Muscarius is the first remedy that comes to mind
for chilblains, as it produces the stinging and itchy sensations
in the toes and feet that are characteristic of frostbite. If no
other remedy is specifically indicated, use Agaricus.
Agaricus features the swelling, burning, redness, cramping, and
skin eruptions that itch and burn. Some patients experience lasting
redness after frostbite and symptoms of rosacea; some experience
swollen veins with the cold skin. It is good to keep in mind that
the more serious effects of hypothermia are addressed by this remedy,
namely the irregular, tumultuous palpitation of the heart, which
can take place when hypothermia has progressed. In general, these
patients symptoms are all worse for open, cold air; worse after
eating, worse after coitus, and worse before a thunderstorm. Slow
movement brings about amelioration.
If the patients complaints worsen with exposure to heat, or more
specifically from being in a warm room, think of Pulsatilla;
especially if the part feels hot and itchy long after being thawed
with cold water. If the thawed skin produces dark, red, itchy inflammations
that are worse for cold and damp, think of Rhus Toxicodendron.
Some other good remedies for the itching and coldness in skin or
in fingers and feet include Abrotanum, Tamus, and Plantago. Abrotanums modalities are better for movement,
worse for cold air and for suppression of any secretions. Tamus
can be applied in a topical cream to soothe the itching; as can
calendula, if the surface blisters break and the skin needs to be
sterilized and encouraged to heal.
Nux Vomica is a good remedy to consider if there is superficial
inflammation with bright red swelling and burning itch. We can recognize
the need for this remedy when the skin begins to crack and bleed
as it warms, as well as if we see the typical Nux Vomica emotional
state: extreme irritation, anger, and a kind of denial/denouncement
of the situation. Where there is bleeding, cracked skin or inflamed,
swollen, painful red heels bathed in unpleasant-smelling moisture,
we should think about Petroleum as a good remedy. The physical
symptoms appear to be similar to Nux Vomicas, but the mental state
in Petroleum will be far more concerned with the approach of death
and the need to settle affairs than it will be with anger and irritable
frustration.
The patient who needs Arsenicum Album has suffered a more
severe frostbite, where the tendency in the frozen skin leans towards
gangrene. Blackish vesicles may be present on the affected parts.
Dont forget to look for the characteristic fussy anxiety and restlessness
of this patient.
Consider Sulphur as a treatment if the chilblain has a tendency
to suppurate, and if its burning itchiness only gets worse once
the part warms up in bed. In cases where the swelling and itching
is violent, think about Zincand look for the characteristic
fidgety feet.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia sets in when the core body temperature falls below
35°C (95'F); if the body has been cooled to less than 25°C
(77°F) recovery is unlikely. As body temperature dips, the person
becomes dreamy, unresponsive, and reluctant to move; the hands,
feet, and abdomen feel icy cold to the touch. There may also be
cramping, numbness, or paralysis, causing falls and accidents if
the person tries to walk or move.
First, check breathing and pulse, and if necessary give artificial
respiration. If you are certain that there is no heartbeat, use
cardiac resuscitation. Once the person is revived, warming them
becomes the next priority.
The best way to look after someone whos hypothermic is to bring
the person into the warm, and give them sips of hot, sweet drinks,
making sure the drinks which are alcohol free. Warm the person up
gently, so as to avoid overstraining the heart. Place warm-to-cool
(not hot) water bottles, well wrapped, against the person's body;
but not against the extremities. Resist the urge to restore circulation
by massaging the limbs, or encouraging the person to do warm-up
exercises. Cover the body well with blankets. Though it sounds like
a good idea, submerging your patient in a bath should not be done.
A hypothermic baby will be unusually limp and drowsy and refuse
to feed, even though the babys face, hands, and feet may appear
to be normal. The most effective way of warming a baby is to hold
him or her against your skin in a warm bed. In the elderly, it is
sometimes difficult to distinguish hypothermia from a stroke or
heart attack, particularly if the hypothermia results not from a
winter accident or outdoor exposure, but from something as every-day
as not being able to heat the home properly for lack of funds, or
for difficulty in repairing faulty heating equipment. These situations
are an unfortunate reality for many elderly people, especially if
they are used to living alone.
Materia Medica
If the remedy Antimonium Tartaricum is indicated, the patient
will experience a sensation of coldness running through the blood
vessels. The face will be cold to the touch, and appear blue and
pale, covered with cold sweat. The chin and lower jaw will be shivering;
and in general the patient will experience chills, trembling, and
muscular pains all over the body. Drowsiness, debility and sweat
are big symptoms for this remedy. You will also hear lots of rattling
mucus in the chest, as if it were filled and congestedbut very
little mucus is expectorated.
Arsenicum Album features faintness, icy coldness, and great
exhaustion made worse after the slightest exertion. Pale coldness
is everywhere: the face, which has a death-like colour with a bluish
nose and open mouth; coldness felt in the stomach, coldness felt
in the chest. Anxiety and agony are the facial expressions which
indicate this remedy.
Camphora is indicated when the whole body feels icy cold,
the blood pressure is very low, and the pulse is small and weak.
These patients experience a sudden sinking of strength. The coldness
in this remedy will pervade through to the tongue, and breathyet
the patient will not allow himself to be covered. There is also
great numbness, tingling, coldness and cramping, especially in the
calves. Everything will feel cold to the touch.
Secale Cornutum is another remedy which refuses to be covered:
even though the body feels cold to the touch, the patient feels
the sensation of heat and refuses to bear the added warmth of blankets.
In this remedy, the extremities will feel icy and cold, and appear
blue, shriveled, bent backwards or splayed apart, and numb.
If the patient is icy cold and blue, but the head is hot and the
breathing is laboured, quickened, and cold, think of the corpse
reviver, Carbo Vegetabilis. These patients will have such
difficulty breathing that they need to be fanned; the pulse is almost
imperceptible as the blood stagnates in the capillaries.
If tremendous cramping is the major complaint, and convulsions
or spasmodic affections which begin in the fingers and toes present
themselves, consider the use of Cuprum Metallicum. Look for
the characteristic blueness in the face, lips and nails.
The Veratrum Album patient will present with a stuporous,
blank, dazed and seemingly indifferent appearancewhat they used
to describe as sits in a stupid manner, noticing nothing. The
collapse state in this remedy is extreme, along with the coldness
and blueness felt and presented by the patient. The face will be
pale, with a sweaty forehead; the pulse will be feeble, but rapid.
There is a sensation of a lump of ice, on the vertex; and all of
the skin is blue and inelastic, clammy feeling to the touch.
If you're concerned about potency, I find that carrying a kit with
a number of remedies in the same potency can be very helpful. A
30c potency in these remedies will allow you to start with a moderate
potency, which can be repeated as indicated; a 30c can also be a
good potency to use dissolved in water for "plussing".
Most of these remedies can be easily located from health food stores
or homeopathic pharmacies without too much travel or trouble; the
30c potency is one that is commonly carried in stores, which makes
putting the first aid kit together and keeping it fully stocked
easy to accomplish.
Read
Addendum to this article. |
