Contenido Relacionado

Contenido en el Idioma Español de University of Maryland Medical Center

Congelación - Symptom

Nombres alternativos

Exposición de brazos o piernas al frío

Síntomas:

Los primeros síntomas son una sensación de hormigueo seguida de entumecimiento. Puede presentarse una sensación pulsátil o dolorosa inicial, pero posteriormente la parte afectada se torna insensible (se siente como un "tronco de madera").

La piel congelada es dura, pálida, fría e insensible. Cuando se descongela la piel, se torna roja y con dolor (congelación temprana). Con una congelación más severa, la piel puede lucir blanca e insensible (el tejido ha comenzado a congelarse).

La congelación muy severa puede provocar ampollas, gangrena (tejido ennegrecido y muerto) y daño a estructuras profundas como los tendones, los músculos, los nervios y el hueso.

Botiquín de primeros auxilios

Congelación de las manos

Congelación

Reviewed last on: 1/14/2010
Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Danzl DF. Hypothermia and frostbite. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 137.

Danzl DF. Hypothermia and frostbite. In: Fauci AS, Harrison TR, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2008:chap 20.

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