NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Winter has set in, and the combination of low temperatures and strong winds brings a serious threat to your health. Frostbite is something that can happen within minutes, affecting any exposed skin area, but especially fingers, toes, nose, and ears. The Mayo Clinic says that frostbite is an injury that is caused by the freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. It happens when the body's survival mechanism kicks in — cutting blood circulation to extremities — during frigid conditions. Early stages are called frostnip — a cold feeling followed by numbers. But when it gets worse, the skin may change color and become hard or waxy-looing. Only freezing temperatures, 32°F or colder, can cause frostbite, and according to the National Weather Service (NWS), the lower the wind chill temperature, the greater the risk. The NWS also says that a wind chill index is critical to determine when conditions become dangerous. Influenza cases being reported in the emergency room The wind chill is how cold the air feels on the skin when factoring in wind for any temperature at or below 50 degrees with speeds above three mph. There's a thin layer of warmth produced by body heat that the wind strips away, and as the wind increases, the amount of heat lost also increases. Signs of frostbite include the formation of ice crystals on the skin, along with redness and/or pain in the area of the exposed skin. When numb skin feels firm or waxy, that's another sign. Fortunately, the National Weather Service has some tips to protect yourself from cold weather, and ultimately, getting frostbite. Stay dry Stay covered Dress in layers Stay informed Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW