Frozen Flesh: Understanding Frostbite

Frozen Flesh: Understanding Frostbite

From Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) by AWLS

March 11, 2026 · 19 min

About this episode

This episode explores frostbite, its prevention, and a new treatment approved by the FDA.

Frostbite has long been one of the most feared cold-weather injuries for mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and winter adventurers—often leading to permanent tissue loss or even amputation. In this episode, we explore how frostbite happens, how to prevent it in the outdoors, and what to do when it strikes far from help. We also highlight a breakthrough in treatment: the FDA’s recent approval of iloprost, the first medication specifically designed to save tissue and improve outcomes in severe f...

People in this episode

Host: AWLS

Topics covered

  • frostbite
  • cold-weather injuries
  • mountaineering
  • tissue loss
  • treatment breakthroughs

Keywords

  • frostbite
  • cold-weather injuries
  • iloprost
  • tissue preservation
  • mountaineering

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FDA

Products: iloprost

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