MINNEAPOLIS — Surgeons at Hennepin Healthcare are getting their burn unit ready in case they see an uptick in frostbite cases this weekend.
"With the temperatures we're going to have and the wind chills in the minus 10 to 20 degrees, it only takes a matter of minutes before frostbite can set in on the bare skin,” Hennepin Healthcare burn surgeon Jon Gayken says.
Local doctors are especially worried about kids.
Dr. Liz Placzek at Children’s Minnesota says kids are getting their first real taste of winter this season and they may push themselves too far while having fun.
"Definitely when sledding, kids love sledding, they could stay out there for hours. That's a long time to be outside when it's this cold and that's a time when their clothes might get a little wet and increase their chance of frost injury.”
Dr. Placzek says if a child's cheeks turn red parents should keep an eye on them.
If that continues for long periods, or their skin starts to turn white or gray, the child may be showing early signs of frostbite.
"If you see that they need to come inside right away and start re-warming,” Dr. Placzek says.
It's not just kids, for people who love cross-country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling, this weekend may be the first time they've had a chance to finally get outside.
Doctors say these outdoor enthusiasts may have some pent-up excitement about the snow that could potentially push them to stay outside longer than they should.
Doctors are encouraging locals to pay attention to their bodies and make sure they have some kind of shelter nearby so they can warm up.