Overview
Cold weather can stress the body in several ways. It can lead to low body temperature, skin and tissue injury from freezing, dehydration, falls on ice, and flare-ups of heart or lung conditions. Risk rises when temperatures are low, wind is strong, clothing is wet, or a person cannot get warm shelter.
Key Symptoms
Warning signs of cold-related illness include intense shivering, numbness, pale or hard skin, slurred speech, unusual tiredness, confusion, clumsiness, and trouble staying awake. Frostbite may cause skin that looks white, gray, or waxy and feels numb. Severe cold stress can also trigger chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or dizziness, especially during physical activity.
Causes and Risk Factors
The body loses heat quickly in cold air, wind, and water or wet clothing. Staying outside too long, wearing too few layers, drinking alcohol, being tired, and not eating enough can make it harder to stay warm. Ice and snow also increase the chance of falls and injuries.
Who Is Affected
Anyone can be harmed by cold weather, but some groups are more vulnerable. This includes older adults, babies and young children, people with heart or lung disease, people with poor circulation, people who work outdoors, and people without reliable heat or shelter. People taking some medicines or those with limited mobility may also have more trouble staying warm or noticing danger signs.
Prevention
Dress in several loose layers, cover the head, hands, and feet, and change out of wet clothes as soon as possible. Check weather forecasts, limit time outdoors during extreme cold, and take regular warm-up breaks. Keep homes heated as much as possible, use heaters carefully to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and ask about community warming centers if home heat is limited.
Diet and Lifestyle
Warm drinks and regular meals can help support body heat, while alcohol can increase heat loss and impair judgment. Drink fluids even if you do not feel very thirsty, because cold weather can still lead to dehydration. Pace yourself with outdoor work such as shoveling, and avoid sudden heavy effort if you are not used to it.
When to Seek Medical Care
Get medical advice promptly for numb skin that does not improve after warming, worsening pain, large blisters, persistent shivering, or symptoms that suggest a cold-related illness. Contact a healthcare professional if cold exposure seems to worsen asthma, COPD, angina, or other long-term conditions. Falls, head injuries, and suspected carbon monoxide exposure also need prompt evaluation.
When It May Be an Emergency
Emergency help is needed if someone has confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, chest pain, seizures, severe drowsiness, or stops shivering despite being very cold. It is also urgent if skin turns hard, blackened, or deeply discolored, or if there is concern for severe hypothermia or frostbite. Move the person to a warmer place while waiting for emergency care and avoid rubbing frozen skin.