title: Freezing and non-freezing cold weather injuries: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The debilitating impact of cold weather on the human body is one of the world's oldest recorded injuries. The severe and life-changing damage which can be caused is now more commonly seen recreationally in extreme outdoor sports rather than in occupational settings such as the military. The diagnosis and treatment of these injuries need to be completed carefully but quickly to reduce the risk of loss of limb and possibly life. Therefore, we have conducted a systematic review of the literature surrounding cold weather injuries (CWIs) to ascertain the epidemiology and current management strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline (PubMED), EMBASE, CINHAL, Cochrane Collaboration Database, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar.
  The risk of freeze thaw freeze injuries. Delayed surgical intervention when possible. Different epidemiology of freezing and non-freezing injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prophylatic use of antibiotics; the use of vasodilators surgical and medical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of ilioprost and PFG2a for the treatment of deep frostbite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of non-freezing CWIs with their long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK.
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heil
authors.affiliation: Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK drsandywood@googlemail.com.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000067390:Cold Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005615:Freezing / Q000009:adverse effects; D005627:Frostbite / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: cold weather injuries; freezing cold injury; frost nip; frostbite; non-freezing cold weather injury