In the period from December 20, 2025 to January 18, 2026, 1,103 people sought emergency medical care due to frostbite and hypothermia. Of these, 1,016 patients required hospitalization. Reported by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The largest number of applications was recorded on January 18, when 85 people with cold injuries were taken to hospitals. Doctors note that the risk of hypothermia increases with prolonged exposure to cold or cold rooms, especially in the absence of warm clothing or if it is damp or wet.
Among the main signs of hypothermia are pale, cold and dry skin, which in children may turn red, trembling, speech disorders, slow breathing and blue lips. Children are also characterized by refusal to eat and excessive drowsiness.
Frostbite occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to low temperatures on body tissues. The fingers and toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin are most often affected. At the same time, the skin becomes gray-yellow or waxy-white, becomes numb and loses sensitivity.
In case of severe cold injury, you should immediately call 103 or 112. Before the arrival of doctors, the victim should be moved to a warm room, remove wet clothes and shoes, cover with a blanket or thermal blanket, and give warm drinks. It is recommended to cover the affected areas with clean, dry gauze bandages without the use of alcohol; it is forbidden to warm them with hot water or rub them with snow.
