Freezing injury - the thermal damage of tissues caused by local influence of low temperatures and shown necrosis and a reactive inflammation of a skin.

The general cooling (freezing) arises at influence on an organism of a cold during unusually long time and depression of its temperature below 34°С. In a peace time it rather a unusual occurrence (ship-wreck, accidents with climbers, serious alcoholic intoxication, a loss of consciousness or a coma). During war the general cooling meets more often, wounded men are especially subject to it.

Signs. Sensation of a cold snap, a cold fit. Integuments acyanotic. The skin loses an elastance, becomes, dry and rough (« a goose skin »). At a body temperature nearby 35°С there is a paleness of the face, a cyanosis, an onychalgia, genitals. An emiction morbid, a polyuria. The mood worsens, apathy, apathy, disturbance of coordination of movements, disturbance of vision, weariness, a sleepiness.

Local cooling. As a result of influence of the factor of a cold with the purpose of decrease of a thermolysis reflexly there is a vasospasm which extends gradually from a surface deep into (from dermal vessels in a direction - to main). The vascular spastic stricture leads to retardation of a blood flow and a stasis of a blood, and then to a clottage of vessels. Very low temperature is unessential, the greater degree of loss of heat for a time unit is sufficient. The important role is played with a wind and humidity (wet freezing). In strongly cooled tissues decrease of a metabolism and consumption of oxygen is marked.