MU doctor warns not to stay outside for an extended period of time
Wind chills are sending temperatures in the negatives as we head into the weekend.
MU Health Care Emergency Medicine Doctor Chris Sampson warns of the danger of frostbite and tells those who have to go outside to bundle up.
“Dress warmly, that often includes dressing in multiple layers, wearing appropriate winter clothing, boots, hats, gloves, scarves,” Dr. Sampson said. “Cover up those exposed areas of your body, those include the fingertips, the ears, areas that are often prone to frostbite.”
Dr. Sampson said people lose heat on every part of our skin, but finger tips, noses and ears are the “end points,” which make them more likely to get frostbite because they feel the effects the quickest.
“You really need to be bundled up as much as you can to all the exposed areas,” he said.
The National Weather Service’s graph below shows how fast someone can get frostbite with the dangerous temperatures mid-Missouri faces.
