Boy, it’s cold outside

Punxsutawney Phil says there are five more weeks of winter to go. And the best defense, as they say, is a good offense – in other words, lots of warm clothing.

By CYNTHIA RAMNARACE
Evening News health editor

Hat: Whether you choose a skullcap, a touque or simply use the hood of your coat, covering your head is the best way to keep your body heat where you want it: inside your body. More than half of your body heat is lost through the head.

Layers: Several items of clothing, such as an undershirt, a turtleneck and a sweater will keep you warmer than simply wearing your warmest sweatshirt. Layers help trap heat, keeping it close to the body. But don’t layer so much that you sweat. The dampness on your skin will make you colder.

Boots: If there’s snow outside, there should be boots on your feet. A well-insulated, waterproof pair of boots will not only keep your feet warm, but dry. Water sucks heat away from the body quickly. A boot’s rubber soles will also help keep you from slipping on the ice.

Gloves: Fingers and toes are most susceptible to frostbite and frostnip, so keeping them warm is important. Gloves work well, but mittens work best.

Scarf: A scarf helps keep your neck and face warm, and it is especially important if you have asthma. The shock of cold air can trigger an asthma attack, and a scarf can help warm air before you breathe it in.

Coat: Use all the buttons, and zip it up to the top. Your body works hard to keep itself warm, so don’t just give away all that heat.

Other wintertime reminders:

Drink lots of water. The more fluids you take in, the better the job the body will do at bringing warm blood to your toes and fingers.

If playing in the snow, and your pants get wet, go inside and change. Any wetness on the skin is going to make you colder, and if your skin gets cold and numb, odds are you’ve got a case of frostnip. Same goes for socks and gloves.

Just because a street is covered in snow, doesn’t mean there’s not a dangerous stretch of ice hidden underneath. So be careful, because a slip on the ice can lead to bumps, bruises and broken bones.

When playing in the snow, take breaks to go inside and warm up. Children lose heat from their skin more quickly than adults, and so are at greater risk of hypothermia.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Institute of Preventive Medicine, the U.S. Army, the Nemours Foundation.

Glossary

Hypothermia: When the body is exposed to cold for too long, the body weakens and can no longer maintain its 98.6-degree temperature. If the temperature falls below 95 degrees, hypothermia has set in. This is dangerous because it can make simple things like thinking, speaking and walking difficult. In extreme cases, where the body is exposed to cold for a long period of time, a person can die.

Frostbite: When the skin freezes, frostbite has set in. Cheeks, nose, ears, fingers and toes are the most likely victims. Frostbite leaves skin white and waxy looking. When you touch it, it’s numb and hard. If this happens, an adult should take you to the hospital emergency room.

Frostnip: Like frostbite, cheeks, nose, ears, fingers and toes are most likely to get "nipped." Frostnip is less severe than frostbite and can be treated at home with warm, not hot, water. Frostnipped skin turns white and is numb to the touch.

Did you know?

For older people, like your grandparents or great-grandparents, cold weather can be especially dangerous. If they are exposed to cold weather for too long, they are more likely to get hypothermia, because their bodies don’t warm themselves as well as they did when they were younger. Certain medications and illnesses common in older people also increase the risk of hypothermia.

So if it’s been especially cold outside, give your grandparent a call or a visit. Signs of hypothermia include the so-called "umbles." Those are stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles. If you notice any of these, tell a parent or other adult.

Source: National Institute on Aging