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Suggest Treatment For Frostbites On Face, Dry Eyes, Weakness And Lightheaded Feeling

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Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2015
Question: Hey I'm 18 years old and I've been feeling really weird lately. About a month ago I took my dog to the park and I think I got windburn. It was really cold and windy that day, I'm talking like 30km winds and snowing. After a couple days I noticed that my face had gotten red...

- on my cheeks under my eyes
- on my forehead
- on my chin and around my mouth(a bit)

I also noticed that my eyes were pretty bloodshot and felt dry. If I had to describe it I would say it feels like the after-effects of swimming in a chlorine filled pool with your eyes open. When I close them tight they get warm as well.

As well I noticed that small pimples started appearing on the red areas on my face. Now over time some have receded and some have stayed. The red areas on my face have also receded but I really notice it when I wash my face(Luke warm water and dove soap). My face has also been quite flakey lately and I have felt lightheaded all the time. I also feel tired. From the moment I get up to the moment i go to sleep. I think it might be anxiety from what I've read because I just went through a downfall with my friends and I have got a lot of stuff going on in my life right now.

However on the web it says that windburn will go away after 2 weeks and it's been like a month now. I thought it might be blood pressure so I bought a blood pressure cuff. I measure daily and it is usually between 110/70 and 120/80 so i don't know

Please help, this is driving me crazy!!

doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
frost bite

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.

From your description I think your exposure to the wind snow and cold caused you to have frostbite on your face. The wind chill factor along with the cold probably allowed your exposed skin to freeze. This is very similar to having a skin burn from heat. The skin now is trying to heal but you may be left with dry skin and scarring or redness from the frost bite. There is nothing you can do to help the repair process at this time other than prevent any further damage to your skin. You can use skin moisturizers to help the dry skin.

The dry red eyes are also wind damage from the cold but that should heal without any problems.

To help your overall condition I recommend you eat a healthy diet and avoid fast foods, Get regular exercise but do it indoors like walking in a mall. Get plenty of sleep and that may mean 8-10 hours per day to allow your body to heal and recuperate.

Then I also recommend stress reduction. You sound very anxious at this time and the high levels of stress causes your body to release high amounts of adrenalin. This increase in adrenalin cause your body to be in fight or flight mode all the time and therefore fatigues you more easily. I recommend finding a good workbook on stress reduction that will include relaxation exercises, meditation and possibly yoga. I recommend for my patients the anxiety and phobia work book by Dr. Bourne. Adding these to your regular daily activities may help reduce a lot of your fatigue and light headedness

In summary
1. Frostbite of the face
2. Skin moisturizers
3. Protect skin from further damage
4. Improve overall health with well balanced diet
5. Regular exercise
6. Relaxation and stress reduction
7. Plenty of good restorative sleep

I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (54 minutes later)
Ok ill try all that. I just thought i should let you know that i have a history of low blood pressure as well. And about how long will it take for the effects to clear up with that routine?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Time will only tell

Detailed Answer:
The skin condition may not get better for sometime as the cold weather and dry air will keep the skin dry and vulnerable.

The overall weakness fatigue and light headedness will improve with time. As I mentioned eating a good diet and getting regular exercise will improve your blood pressure readings.

Good luck
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Frostbites On Face, Dry Eyes, Weakness And Lightheaded Feeling

Brief Answer: frost bite Detailed Answer: Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns. From your description I think your exposure to the wind snow and cold caused you to have frostbite on your face. The wind chill factor along with the cold probably allowed your exposed skin to freeze. This is very similar to having a skin burn from heat. The skin now is trying to heal but you may be left with dry skin and scarring or redness from the frost bite. There is nothing you can do to help the repair process at this time other than prevent any further damage to your skin. You can use skin moisturizers to help the dry skin. The dry red eyes are also wind damage from the cold but that should heal without any problems. To help your overall condition I recommend you eat a healthy diet and avoid fast foods, Get regular exercise but do it indoors like walking in a mall. Get plenty of sleep and that may mean 8-10 hours per day to allow your body to heal and recuperate. Then I also recommend stress reduction. You sound very anxious at this time and the high levels of stress causes your body to release high amounts of adrenalin. This increase in adrenalin cause your body to be in fight or flight mode all the time and therefore fatigues you more easily. I recommend finding a good workbook on stress reduction that will include relaxation exercises, meditation and possibly yoga. I recommend for my patients the anxiety and phobia work book by Dr. Bourne. Adding these to your regular daily activities may help reduce a lot of your fatigue and light headedness In summary 1. Frostbite of the face 2. Skin moisturizers 3. Protect skin from further damage 4. Improve overall health with well balanced diet 5. Regular exercise 6. Relaxation and stress reduction 7. Plenty of good restorative sleep I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions