Infection in cold-injured skin

When skin is rewarmed after being very cold or frozen, it is normal to have pain, warmth, and redness as blood flow returns to the area. Swelling that develops after rewarming cold skin may be caused by a cold injury or infection. It is very difficult to tell the difference between normal recovery from cold exposure and a problem such as infection.

Symptoms of a skin infection may include:

• Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the injury.
• Red streaks extending from the injury.
• Drainage of pus from the injury.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin.
• Fever.

An infection most often develops when bacteria enter broken skin (such as a popped blister). What starts as a minor wound infection can lead to a serious infection, such as:

• A skin infection (cellulitis).
• A pus-filled pocket (abscess) just under the skin surface or deep in tissue.
• A joint infection (septic arthritis).
• A bursa infection (septic bursitis).
• A bone infection (osteomyelitis).

People who have conditions such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease or who have a disease or take a medicine that affects the immune system have a greater chance of developing an infection. This is because of decreased blood flow to the hands and feet.

Quick treatment of an infection can prevent serious problems.