According to Dana Mills, the director of Student Health Service, there were three students who were treated for frostbite on the foot last week.,”

Parents always talked about bundling up before going outside so as not to catch a cold. However, last week's bitterly cold temperatures and biting wind upped the ante, making such measures necessary to avoid frostbite.

According to Dana Mills, director of Student Health Service, three students were treated for frostbite on the foot last week.

Ashley Gaughan, a College of Health Sciences junior, said she got frostbite on her heel after walking back to campus from a men's basketball game at the Bradley Center on Feb. 3.

"I didn't wait for a shuttle because the wait for the line would have been just as long as walking back," Gaughan said.

She said she was outside for about 15 minutes and got the frostbite on the heel of her foot because she was only wearing Birkenstock clogs with a pair of socks.

After she felt pain on her foot, she went to the emergency room for immediate treatment where she was given pain medication and a topical antibiotic. She then went to Student Health Service on Monday and received an oral antibiotic.

Laura Linnean, a College of Nursing freshman, also got frostbite on her entire left heel walking from Cobeen to work out on Feb. 3. She said she was outside for a little more than 10 minutes by herself. She was also only wearing clogs and a pair of socks.

"I noticed it hurt really bad behind the library and when I got on the bus, I noticed it was really white and it hurt," Linnean said.

Linnean, who is on the Marquette track team, said she had a meet that day, but could not compete because there was a large blister.

She said she went to the doctor on Monday where she was told to put aloe and Vaseline on the infected area and to keep it wrapped at all times. She also said she needs to keep the skin moist and healthy so the dead skin will eventually fall off.

"The first two days it hurt really bad, but it doesn't hurt as bad anymore," Linnean said.

According to Amy Melichar, coordinator of the Center for Health Education and Promotion, frostbite results from freezing any part of the body. With recent temperatures, she said prolonged exposure to the cold and wind without proper protection could result in frostbite.

She said if someone thinks he or she may have frostbite, he or she should be brought indoors as soon as possible and then place the infected area in warm water for approximately 30 minutes. Students should not rub or remove the skin. They should be brought to SHS or another medical facility as soon as possible.

"Frostbite is pretty serious and people who were infected can attest to the fact that it is not fun," Melichar said.

She said the most important thing is to properly cover up when going outside. She said she sees many students outside wearing flip-flops and shorts and not wearing hats and gloves.

"You go to school in Milwaukee," Melichar said. "You need to get layers on and get the body covered."

“