During this cold winter, illnesses related to the cold can spread amongst college campuses, so it’s best to be prepared and know the symptoms to look out for.

Some illnesses related to cold exposure include frostnip, frostbite, trench foot, chilblains, eye pain or blurred vision and hypothermia. 

Frostnip typically affects the skin on the face, ears or fingertips, and may cause numbness or a blue-white discoloration of the skin for a short time. To get a normal feeling and color to return quickly, head to an area with a warmer temperature, according to ColumbiaDoctors. 

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and tissues under the skin because of cold temperatures. Frostbitten skin looks pale or blue and feels cold, numb and stiff or rubbery to the touch. 

Trench foot and chilblains may cause pale and blistered skin, like frostbite, after the skin has been warmed. The cause of these injuries may be from spending too much time in cold temperatures, according to ColumbiaDoctors. 

According to ColumbiaDoctors, eye pain or vision changes caused by cold exposure most often occur in people who try to force their eyes open in high winds or cold weather. 

Hypothermia happens when a body loses heat faster than making heat. Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, clumsy movements, apathy, poor judgement and cold, pale or blue-gray skin. Hypothermia is an emergency condition and can lead to unconsciousness and death if heat loss isn’t stopped. 

As always, if it is an emergency, call 911 to receive help quickly.