Cold exposure injuries: prevention and treatment.

A variety of cold exposure injuries were discussed, including frostnip, chilblains, trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. The usual precipitating factors for each were discussed along with the clinical course, the pathophysiology, and management from the perspective of one being in the field or backcountry. Prevention is the key to all cold-related problems as adequate treatment is often not possible out of the hospital setting. Detailed recommendations were made for all conditions, relative to treatment and prevention, with special emphasis on hypothermia.