Risk factors for ice burns
Certain things may increase your chances of having an ice burn or other cold-induced injuries. Including spending a lot of time in cold conditions or high velocity winds, and not dressing appropriately in those conditions/environments.
Lifestyle habits and conditions that negatively affect your circulation or ability to detect injuries can increase your risk of ice burns. Some of these factors increase:
- Smoking
- Taking medications that slow blood flow to your skin, like beta-blockers
- If you have diabetes [3], peripheral vascular disease [4], or other conditions that impair your circulation
- Having peripheral neuropathy or other conditions that lower your ability to detect injuries
Due to their fragile skin, younger children and older people are also at an increased risk of developing ice burn.