Medicaltalks over 6 years ago

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Blisters and frostbite of the toes after ice climbing!! 

The patient was ice climbing and she hiked about 5 miles in knee deep snow to a climb but it got sunny and a bunch of snow melted down into her boot and soaked her socks. By the time she realized what was happening and took off her boots her feet were so swollen they couldn't fit back in. She put on 5 pairs of socks and her crocs and hiked the 5 miles back out when the guy she was with allegedly refused to carry her.Doctors had to wait it out and see which of the toes ended up dead. Surgeons were able to save enough of her big toe to have her fully recover balance. They were able to keep the base of her foot too. She is still able to do what she loves: hike, ski, and run!. Essentially what you are seeing are bullae, or big blisters, which are filled with serous fluid, a collection of the water and proteins released from the now-dead cells of the affected tissues and the swelling (edema) from leaky vessels as a result of the inflammatory processes surrounding the dead cells.Photo by @medicalpedia