predisposing factors
Last reviewed 01/2018
predisposing factors
Predisposing factors for freezing and non-freezing cold injury include:
- general
- unusually cold weather
- prolonged exposure to cold
- inadequate clothing or inadequate use of appropriate clothing
- homelessness
- smoking
- dehydration
- old age
- ethnic origin
- high altitude
- systemic
- peripheral vascular disease
- diabetes
- Raynaud’s disease
- sepsis
- previous cold injury
- psychiatric illness
- drugs
- beta blockers
- sedative
- neuroleptics
- trauma
- any immobilising injury, especially head and spinal injuries
- proximal limb trauma which causes disruption of the distal circulation
- intoxication - alcohol and other illicit drug abuse (1)
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