What is Frost Nip???

So yesterday I did a quick post just updating my run. However, as I began to warm-up inside I noticed that my fingers, especially my pinky, ring, and index fingers on my right hand were tingling and starting to go numb. I also was freezing and I couldn't seem to get my hands to warm up. I actually put on a pair of gloves and my cat, Bandit, decided to lay on top of my hands after I had put on a sweatshirt and buried myself underneath several blankets. I also cranked the thermostat to 75 because 71 in my house felt like the arctic tundra. 

The problem? Well when I went for a run it was ideal temps. A little above 50, no wind, and the sun was shining bright. It was absolutely fantastic. However, as time went on and I began racking up the miles the temperature dropped.  I was wearing a tank/t-shirt combo with compression capris, my fleece running jacket, and knit gloves. I decided not to wear my cold rated under armour gloves because it wasn't that cold when I left and I didn't want my hands to get hot. The problem was that it was now about 15 degrees cooler than when I had started my run. I don't mind running in the cold, but my outfit did not protect me as much as it should from the cold outside. In particular, I spilled water on the tips of my ring and pinky finger. I noticed as I was making my way to my house at the end of my run that my fingers were cold and in particular those two fingers were really really cold. Since I was almost home I didn't worry too much. When I got home I warmed up as best I could. But then my fingers began to tingle and go extremely numb. I did my best to bring circulation through them, but my right hand in particular was having a lot of difficulty. About an hour and half later, I finally warmed up. The culprit, frost nip.

So what is it? Well I am going to summarize the information I googled and found from the Mayo Clinic website. If you want more complete info then go there.

Frost nip is the first stage of frostbite. It is a cold injury to the surface of the skin. Luckily it doesn't permanently damage your skin like frostbite does, but it can still be painful and provide a lot of numbness and prickling while the skin warms up. Side note: my fingers still feel weird on the pads where you can see the marks of frost nip on them. What happens is that the sub layers begin to freeze, mine really froze from where the water had hit my glove. Redness occurs on the skin as it thaws out.

How to prevent it? As a runner, don't wear the knit gloves, instead always wear the proper cold weather gear. I was lucky because mine could have been a lot worse. From now on, any winter running will involve me wearing my cold weather gloves. What is ironic is I just read a review about my gloves and how they prevent frostbite and other cold weather injuries. Also, know the symptoms of frost nip and warm-up immediately if you begin to develop them. Remember to never rub the area, but instead to warm them in area that is already warm, I used my cat and that did the trick. You could also try sitting on your hands or putting your hands underneath your armpits, which is an area that is really warm. 

Symptoms:
-Extreme cold or warm feeling
-Waxy look to the skin
-Skin begins to redden
-Blisters begin to appear

So, lesson learned...I have to do a better job of protecting myself, especially when I now have to be running for a really really long time. 

I hope you find this useful 

Until next time, happy running!

1. Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/frostbite/DS01164/DSECTION=symptoms