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Published on: March 9, 2021
Cutaneous Cold Weather Injuries in the US Military
Robert A Kowtoniuk1, Yinzhen E Liu1, Jonathan P Jeter1
1Dr. Kowtoniuk is from the Department of Dermatology, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, Texas. Dr. Liu is from 75th Medical Group, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Dr. Jeter is from the Department of Dermatology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas.
US Military service members face risks of skin injuries from cold weather during duty. This review covers frostbite, immersion foot, and other cold-related conditions to improve diagnosis and treatment for military personnel and civilians.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Military Medicine
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Military personnel frequently operate in cold environments, increasing susceptibility to cutaneous cold weather injuries.
- Understanding these injuries is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and troop welfare.
- Common cold injuries pose significant risks during training, combat, and peacekeeping missions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common cutaneous cold weather injuries relevant to US Military service members.
- To enhance awareness and understanding of these conditions.
- To improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for affected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common cutaneous cold weather injuries.
- Focus on injuries encountered in military settings.
- Inclusion of frostbite, immersion foot, pernio, Raynaud phenomenon, and cold urticaria.
Main Results:
- Identified key cold-related skin injuries prevalent in military contexts.
- Detailed common frostbite, immersion foot, pernio, Raynaud phenomenon, and cold urticaria.
- Highlighted the need for specialized knowledge in diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of specific cold weather injuries is vital for military medical providers.
- Improved diagnostic and treatment protocols can enhance outcomes for service members.
- Findings are applicable to both military personnel and civilian populations exposed to cold.
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