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Original poster

Don't laugh, but... is this frostbite?

15 replies

Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 10:03

OK, well just to be clear, I am no hypochondriac. Apart from pregnancy, I have visited the doctor only twice in the last 15 years. I am super healthy and don't generally suffer from colds and flu, etc. I am also quite physically tough, I do yoga, pilates, etc. and I run. I am a normal weight, a bit overweight if anything, but not by much.

Recently I travelled to somewhere where it is very cold. It was a real shock to the system to be honest, and I hate being cold so did all I could to keep warm. However, it was so cold and I just couldn't get warm. I was shivering all the time and my lips and under my eyes were blue and my mouth was covered in cold sores. The most alarming thing was that all my fingers and my big toes started to go red, then white, and were numb but also really painful, if that makes any sense. One toe was considerable worse than the other, for some reason.

Anyway, I am back on friendly soil and in a normal temperature. The thing is, my fingers and toes are still numb! This was weeks ago but I don't seem to be getting any feeling back. I am doing loads of exercise to get the feeling back, but nothing is working. Also, the nail on the toe that hurt the most has gone black and unattached itself from the nail bed.

Do you think I had/have frostbite? I can't think of anything else it could be...

OP posts:
Dodie66 · 07/09/2017 10:11

See your GP. That's the only way you will find out what the problem is

Original poster
Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 10:13

I can't really afford to go to the doctors at the moment (no insurance). I thought I'd ask on here instead - it's cheaper Grin.

OP posts:
TheHodgeoftheHedge · 07/09/2017 10:36

I don't think it's frostbite, but i'm no doctor. www.nhs.uk/conditions/frostbite/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Whereabouts in the world are you? USA? Are there any walk in clinics you could perhaps visit that would be cheaper/free? It sounds like you really do need to get checked out and I don't think anyone on here or google can diagnose you.

Original poster
Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 10:39

The problem is, there's nothing actually to see, apart from my blackened toenail, which looks like it could have happened as a result of a knock or something. My fingers and toes look completely normal, I just can't feel anything!

OP posts:
KarateKitten · 07/09/2017 10:40

OP, I would go see the doc if you can anyway pull the money together. You really don't want to lose fingers and toes.

NomDePlumeReloaded · 07/09/2017 10:46

You should be assessed in person by a professional, OP. You know that. No one can do it on here. Aside from the obvious barriers, you have no idea of the professional qualifications (or lack of) of anyone on here. To take the word of a random person on the internet where your health is concerned would be very silly indeed.

The numbness suggests to me that you should be seen. Don't assume everything is fine. It may well be, but don't assume it is.

Floralnomad · 07/09/2017 10:53

I had frostbite in my late teens and it was really painful . Lost most of my fingernails and have reduced sensation in my finger tips but lucky really not to lose the fingertips completely. My fingers under the nails went all crusty and discoloured .

Original poster
Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 10:54

I don't think I'm in imminent danger of losing my fingers and toes, it has been a few weeks now. It's just that they're not getting better, the feeling just hasn't come back. It's really weird. I know it started with the cold, I just thought that when I warmed up, I would be back to normal. I'm not, though. All around my mouth where the cold sores were is still red as well, where the cold sores were. I look awful Sad.

OP posts:
Original poster
Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 10:56

Flora Shock

That sounds very much like what I have. Did your fingernails ever grow back?

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 10:57

Chilblains?

The black nail could be from a knock but to lose a nail you'd know if you'd banged it as it would have to be really hard.

Floralnomad · 07/09/2017 11:01

Yes , took a while but still got everything, I already had circulatory problems ( raynauds ) so that is why I was predisposed to it .

Original poster
Leilaniii · 07/09/2017 11:01

Hmm... could be chilblains. No itchiness though. I forgot to add, my toes felt cold, even when they were not cold to the touch, IYSWIM. The first symptom I noticed was my toe felt very cold and I thought my toe had come out of my slippers and was touching the ground, but it wasn't.

OP posts:
NomDePlumeReloaded · 07/09/2017 11:02

The longer you leave it the more risk you run of permanent damage.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 07/09/2017 12:30

Damage caused by circulation issues can be permanent. This needs to be looked at now.

lovemylover · 08/09/2017 09:21

Have you a local pharmacy you could ask,
They are often as good as Drs at diagnosing, or will tell you if you do need to see a Dr

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