Do I have frostbite?

How long ago was this? If it were me, I would run my hands under lukewarm (NOT HOT) water. I am not giving medical advice to you, this is just what I would do. My recommendation officially would be this: See a doctor. Now.

This occurred approximately an hour ago… my skin is thawing a bit, so I’m still deciding on whether or not to see a doctor. I will monitor my situation, and if it worsens, I will go to the hospital immediately. I’ve already tried your suggestion of running my hands under lukewarm water, and it seemed to help, but only slightly.

Put your hands in warm (104–105 F) water for about an hour. Don’t rub them. It doesn’t sound like frostbite, but if your hands are still numb after warming them in water, I’d see a doctor.

You could have it mildly as the redness is a symptom. In my experience I’ve seen people who’ve had their skin turn white because the top layer of tissue was dead.

My parents used to live in the arctic and my dad always said that if you think you have frostbite to keep a close eye on the area and get ye to the hospital if it starts to get sort of darker. For now, what poser and brownlemur said is the best advice – gently warm up the tissue and keep it warm.

Lesson: blizzard = bad.

Frostbite is the most common injury resulting from exposure to severe cold. Superficial frostbite is characterized by white, waxy, or grayish-yellow patches on the affected areas. The skin feels cold and numb. The skin surface feels stiff but underlying tissue feels soft and pliable when depressed.

Deep frostbite usually affects the feet or hands and is characterized by waxy, pale, solid skin. Blisters may appear. Treat deep frostbite by moving the victim indoors and immediately seek medical attention.

http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/frstbit.htm

Frostbite: Damage to tissues from freezing due to the formation of ice crystals within cells, rupturing the cells and leading to cell death.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3522 (one of my FAVE medical sites ever!)

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite: a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy,
numbness
http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/health/FrostbiteFacts.asp

Recognizing frostbite
• White or grayish-yellow skin area
• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, numbness (a victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb).

What to do about frostbite:
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area,
http://www.srhd.org/Information/news/newsdisplay.asp?id=215

History: Frostbite is a completely preventable injury that can occur with or without hypothermia. Below -10°C, any tissue that feels numb for more than a few minutes may become frostbitten. Progressive symptoms of frostbitten areas are as follows:
Initial coldness
Stinging, burning, and throbbing
Numbness followed by complete loss of sensation (This history of anesthesia suggests frostbite injury.)
Loss of fine muscle dexterity (ie, clumsiness of fingers)
Loss of large muscle dexterity (ie, difficulty ambulating)
Severe joint pain

http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic803.htm (excellent but very scientific article)

be happy you are not a cow…

Frostbite in teats and scrotums deserves special mention. Frostbitten teats may be difficult to detect.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/winterstorm/hypoandfrostbite.html

Is frostbite treatable? It seems to me like something that’s irreversible once done. Therefor Patlutz would be screwed either way.

My son had mild frostbite in 18 of his twenty digits from endless winter mountaineering and ice climbing adventures as a young man. He always had circulation problems after that, but he continued his life in the high and cold altitudes.

Swinging one’s arms around like a wind mill helps get blood flowing but the damage was done (like the Reynaud’s disease exercises.)

An on-the-spot palliative is to put your hands under your (or anyone else’s) armpits. No joke.