The most recent was a 70-year-old Baltimore City man who died on December 25.  Other victims include a 24-year-old man from Dorchester County who died on December 4, a 55-year-old man from Anne Arundel County who died on December 3 and a 34-year-old Baltimore County man who died on October 27.

Hypothermia was a contributing factor in the deaths of 52 Marylanders during the 2003 – 2004 winter season.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reminds Marylanders of the dangers associated with cold weather health hazards such as hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below 95ºF.  Nearly 600 Americans die each year from hypothermia.  Symptoms may include:

             ●         uncontrollable shivering;
             ●         cold, pale skin;
             ●         numbness;
             ●         fatigue;
             ●         poor circulation;
             ●         disorientation;
             ●         slurred speech; and
             ●         bluish or puffy skin.

Frostbite refers to actual freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue which is likely to occur any time skin temperature gets much below 32ºF.  The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.

Persons at greatest risk for frostbite include those with impaired circulation, the elderly, the very young and anyone who remains outside for prolonged periods.  The danger increases if the individual becomes wet.

Symptoms of frostbite include:

            ●          gradual numbness;
            ●          hardness and paleness of the affected area during exposure,
            ●          pain and tingling or burning in affected area following warming; and
            ●          possible change of skin color to purple.

NEVER MASSAGE OR RUB FROSTBITTEN AREAS AS THIS MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE SKIN.

Follow these tips to ‘weather’ the winter in a healthy way:

●          Cover your head.  You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
●          Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.  The air between the layers acts as
            insulation to keep you warmer.
●          Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect lungs from direct, extremely cold air.  Cover your ears and
            lower part of your face as well.
●          Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves.  The close contact of fingers helps to keep your hands
            warm.
●          Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
●          Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry.