Frostbite (condition)

Frostbite was a skin injury that could develop from exposure to extreme low temperatures, below, causing the freezing of the skin or other tissues.

Effects
Ordinarily, only exposed or improperly covered flesh was susceptible to this condition, most often occurring first in vulnerable extremities like the ears, fingers, and toes. In extreme cases entire hands, feet, or even limbs could become frostbitten.

The freezing of body tissue stopped blood flow within the affected area, freezing moisture within the body, causing it to become numb and pale in coloration. In severe cases this could lead extremities to suffer gangrene, necessitating their removal. Those suffering frostbite were also likely to speak in a harsh rasp and suffer from impeded movement, becoming clumsy.

If one were to touch metal with frostbitten skin, it could cause moisture on the skin to freeze to it and pulling away could leave a layer of skin behind.

Acquisition
People exposed to low temperatures for prolonged periods were at greatest risk, such as those traveling in arctic environs like the Great Glacier, High Ice, and Ice Spires, or those engaging in the Winter Palace's wet parades during the winter season.

The fists of a qorrashi, genies of ice and cold, could magically inflict frostbite.

Prevention & Treatment
Wearing proper insulated dress in areas of severe cold, such as the dress of the Ulutiuns, helped to prevent or minimize at-risk body tissue to just the face and wrists (if a gap existed between any gloves and coat). However, the feet and hands could still become frostbitten if snow got inside and melted in one's footwear or gloves.

Spells that protected against cold or severe weather conditions could prevent the condition, such as glowglory, resist cold, and warmth. However, such spells would not reverse adverse effects from those already suffering from frostbite. The spell control temperature, 10' radius could aid in the recovery of those afflicted with frostbite.

It was popularly believed that rubbing snow on a frostbitten area would aid in its treatment, though this was in actuality untrue and its friction could worsen any adverse effects.

Notable Frostbitten Individuals

 * In the late 15 century DR a group of berserkers, self-exiled members of the tribe of the Bear, rededicated themselves to worship of the Frostmaiden Auril and in reverence to her allowed their bodies to be ravaged by frostbite.
 * Hethyl Arkorran, a dwarf member of the Knights of the Black Sword, lost her right foot to frostbite at some point and had to replace it with a pegleg.
 * Hruna, a dwarf miner who worked at Kelvin's Cairn, lost her right ear and two fingers to frostbite.
 * Korux, a dwarf miner who worked at Kelvin's Cairn, had suffered from a great deal of exposure. Frostbite had cost him his nose, three fingers, and two toes.
 * Lerustah Half-face, captain of the Frostskimmr, received his nickname after surviving a terrible bout of frostbite that left the right half of his face horribly scarred.
 * Nass Lantomir, a member of the Arcane Brotherhood who died of frostbite in 1489 DR after being shipwrecked in the Sea of Moving Ice and swimming to the island of Solstice.
 * Phags-pa, a hare hengeyokai monk, managed to survive for sometime after developing frostbite in his hands and feet from wandering the Wu Pi Te Shao Mountains, but eventually succumbed to his injuries.
 * Yousouf, a retired adventurer who recovered from nasty frostbite with the aid of his friend and healer Ihre, though Ihre was forced to amputate his toes as they had turned gangrenous.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden