Frostbite is damage to body tissues exposed to extremely cold conditions. This can result in permanent damage to the injured area. The most commonly affected areas are the toes, fingers, ears, and the tip of the nose.
Frostbite can can set in at non-freezing temperatures if the body's resistance is lowered from starvation, intoxication, or loss of blood from a wound. Wind and increased humidity also promote the development of frostbite, which varies in intensity from first degree (remedied at home with all ill-effects gone after several days) to fourth degree which requires antibiotics and hospitalization, sometimes surgery. If not treated quickly, frostbitten limbs will eventually suffer with age, developing infection, skin cancers, joint deterioration or hypersensititvity to cold. Amputation is sometimes required.
In 1994, the American Veterans Affairs lifted their ban on disability payments to frostbitten veterans of the Korean War.