DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) – As Wisconsin continues to face dangerously cold temperatures, health professionals are reminding residents to stay indoors whenever possible.
“Depending on how many layers you are wearing, even touching a very cold metal surface on a day like today that’s in the negatives can actually cause frostbite within a few seconds,” said Dr. Danielle Lorenz, an emergency medicine physician at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital.
Where to stay warm: Warming shelters open during extreme cold across northeast Wisconsin
To prevent cold-related injuries like frostbite or hypothermia, experts recommend staying hydrated and taking precautions with outdoor pets.
“Certainly putting clothing on them, kind of dependent on what breed you’re dealing with,” said John Barnstorff, a veterinarian and owner of Animal Hospital of De Pere. “If you’ve got a little tiny breed, probably a good idea to have a sweater or some sort of a coat on them when they go outside, and just probably limiting that time. When they’re outside, they may be kind of lifting their paws.”
Signs of frostbite include numbness and discolored fingers, while symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering or confusion.
“Look at your fingers and they’re maybe turning a little bit white, or even really bright red,” explained Dr. Lorenz. “You’ll have stinging in your fingertips, burning, and maybe some numbness if you’re experiencing frostbite.”
Extreme Cold Warning: Temperatures drop even more overnight
Certain groups of people are at higher risk during extreme cold.
“People who are having to do their work outside, like construction workers, farmers, people who are out ice fishing or hunting, and your elderly patients—so people over the age of 65,” said Dr. Lorenz. “About 50% of hypothermia deaths in the United States happen in our geriatric population. So make sure that you’re checking on any neighbors or family members who are older. Also, babies have a much harder time regulating their temperatures.”
