Frostbite of the face and ears: epidemiological study of risk factors in Finnish conscripts

Lehmuskallio, Eero; Lindholm, Harri; Koskenvuo, Karoliina; Sarna, Seppo; Friberg, O; Viljanen, Anne

doi:10.1136/bmj.311.7021.1661

Cited by 54 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In an earlier epidemiological study (5), the high occurrence of frostbite was associated with simultaneous use of ointments, indicating the possibility of a causal relation. Even then, there may still be other factors, such as severe cold exposure, that may lead to both increased risk of frostbite (a statistically signi¢cant association with self-estimated cold exposure was not found in this study) and to use of``protective'' ointments (association was found), causing a fundamental bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Contrary to popular belief, their use was shown to be a considerable risk factor for frostbite (5). The bene¢ts of the use of ointments against the cold have not been substantiated by the scienti¢c literature.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Epidemiological (3,5) and preliminary laboratory observations (8) cast serious doubt on the protective e¡ect of ointments in the cold. Contrary to popular belief, their use was shown to be a considerable risk factor for frostbite (5).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cold Protecting Ointments and Frostbite: A Questionnaire Study of 830 Conscripts in Finland

Lehmuskallio¹

1999

Acta Dermato-Venereologica

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The use of emollients on the face is a traditional way to protect the skin against cold injuries in cold climate countries like Finland, but their preventive effect against frostbite has been questioned. The purpose of this investigation was to define the thermal insulation and occlusivity of ointments in cold by using a skin model with a sweating hot plate. The properties of four different emollients were studied in both dry and humid conditions simulating transepidermal water loss, sweating, and a combination of sweating and drying. The thermal insulation of ointments applied on a dry surface was minimal. Evaporation of water from an oil-in-water cream caused significant cooling for 40 min after its application. The diffusion of water through the applied emollients changed their thermal effects depending on their composition and on the amount of water. Low input of water increased and high input diminished slightly the thermal resistance of ointments. The minimal or even negative thermal insulation of emollients in varying conditions gives them at best only a negligible and at worst a disadvantageous physical effect against cold.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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Cold Protecting Ointments and Frostbite: A Questionnaire Study of 830 Conscripts in Finland

Lehmuskallio¹

1999

Acta Dermato-Venereologica

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“…These studies were, consequently, based on limited sample sets. Much less is known about the risk factors for injuries in conscript armies [6,7,10], and the study populations have been small.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Nature and risk factors of injury hospitalization in young adults: A follow-up of 135,987 military conscripts

Mattila

Kuronen

Pihlajamäki

2007

Scand J Public Health

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“…People in the northern part of the country, and especially in the inland areas, are exposed to winter conditions with temperatures often reaching −40°C. The incidence of cold injuries among soldiers during winter service in the northern part of Scandinavia has been reported to be around 2% per year [1,2]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability in peripheral rewarming after cold stress among 255 healthy Norwegian army conscripts assessed by dynamic infrared thermography

Norheim

Borud

Wilsgaard

et al. 2018

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Exposure to cold climate is an inevitable consequence of military training in Norway. Adequate peripheral microcirculation in the extremities is important to maintain temperature, and to protect against freezing cold injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the variability in skin rewarming ability. The study subjects consisted of 260 healthy Norwegian army conscripts, following a mild cold provocation test (hands immersed in 20°C water for 1 min) using dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). Thermal images were obtained to investigate any differences in skin rewarming ability of the hand (fingers). DIRT took place under standardised and stable study conditions. Conscripts were characterised as either slow, intermediate or rapid rewarmers. While 90% could recover, partially or completely, within 4 min to the skin temperature values before the provocation test, 10% showed a slow rewarming pattern. In the slow rewarmers, the rewarming ability was correlated with a low average temperature of the hands prior to the cooling test. The healthy young army conscripts in this study showed a large variability in their rewarming ability following a standardised mild cold provocation test.

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Frostbite of the face and ears: epidemiological study of risk factors in Finnish conscripts

Cited by 54 publications

References 5 publications

Cold Protecting Ointments and Frostbite: A Questionnaire Study of 830 Conscripts in Finland

Cold Protecting Ointments and Frostbite: A Questionnaire Study of 830 Conscripts in Finland

Nature and risk factors of injury hospitalization in young adults: A follow-up of 135,987 military conscripts

Variability in peripheral rewarming after cold stress among 255 healthy Norwegian army conscripts assessed by dynamic infrared thermography

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