Winter Cycling - Watch For Internal Frostbite!

Last season my eye froze shut and I got a really bad infection in the tear duct area after forcing it open. I thought I had learned my lesson but today I'm suffering from a really bad infection inside my nose :eek: The membrane froze up during a cold commute recently and I didn't treat the damaged tissue yesterday.

Ouch! Watch those exposed membranes, fellow travelers!

So how do you prevent internal frostbite then? Good scarf and goggles?

So how do you prevent internal frostbite then? Good scarf and goggles?

I'm thinking he is in Alaska and you are in Seattle. Chances are his temps are pretty severe. I know that I have never even gotten close to frost bite and it gets a little below 0F here.

Personally, I do two things when nose freezing time comes:

Grease it up with a Q-tip (sounds icky, but it really is more comfortable).
Inhale through the mouth and out through the nose.

Man I really hate frozen boogers, but frostbite? Egads!

Sierra Trading Post has some of those heat exchanger face masks for sale, or at least they did Yesterday.

I usually wear a balaclava this time of year for cyling. I have a thin one for about 10f to 20f and a heavier one for colder. But as it happened I had forgotten both, and opted to tough it out rather than go back and get one.

I've used snorkels under a mask stuffed into my jacket. works awesome.
kinda bulky though.

And here I thought this thread was about huffing CO2 cartridges...

Sierra Trading Post has some of those heat exchanger face masks for sale, or at least they did Yesterday.

I got one (Polar Wrap ExChanger Mask) a few weeks ago. It is terrible. Very uncomfortable and does not seal to the face at all, so the air you breath does not go through the "exchanger". It stinks too.

And here I thought this thread was about huffing CO2 cartridges...

:roflmao:

Well, I'm glad I didn't order one then! :)


I got one (Polar Wrap ExChanger Mask) a few weeks ago. It is terrible. Very uncomfortable and does not seal to the face at all, so the air you breath does not go through the "exchanger". It stinks too.

http://psolar.com/id5.html

I got the first model, the ex, on closeout for $29.95. I have used it for walking and the exchanger works great. It kept me very warm. When used by itself it has the same problem as referenced above, it wants to slide down. I tested it under my bicycle helmet while shoveling snow and the helmet straps hold it in place nicely. I saw a version that had straps that went around the ears instead of the back of the head but did not save the URL. Straps around the ears would keep it from slipping down. It did not cover the ears however.

If you want to use to have a heat exchanger to wear when not cycling , then I would recommend a balaclava. For cycling only use, I like the mask because it allows me to wear a lighter or heavier weight balaclava depending upon the conditions. I will wear it for a ride tomorrow and can give you a cycling report then if predicted weather conditions hold.

I don't see the need for gadgetry. Cover your face and ride.

I don't see the need for gadgetry. Cover your face and ride.

You must not have sinusitis or respiratory problems. I hope you never do.

Inside every PolarWrap heat exchanger mask is a patented heat exchange module. As the user exhales, the air leaving the mouth is directed from the mouth-port through the chambers of the heat exchange module, which stores the heat and water vapor from the exhaled breath. When the user inhales, the cold environmental air travels through the chambers of the heat exchange module, picking up heat and water vapor. When the air enters the body it is warm.
http://www.polarwrap.com/how.htm

Last season my eye froze shut and I got a really bad infection in the tear duct area after forcing it open. I thought I had learned my lesson but today I'm suffering from a really bad infection inside my nose :eek: The membrane froze up during a cold commute recently and I didn't treat the damaged tissue yesterday.

Ouch! Watch those exposed membranes, fellow travelers!


My nose always starts to bleed before the inside of it freezes. This is a warning sign.

"internal frostbite"

you learn something new everyday... but it makes sense that you wouldn't want to force the tissue. although, that was something i only learned about the last time i took first aid. i used to think that using friction was a good way to get the blood flowing again.

You must not have sinusitis or respiratory problems. I hope you never do.

Apparently not but if you do and covering the face does not prevent "internal frostbite" then my advice would be not to ride in said conditions. If you consult the frostbite safety charts you will see that you shouldn't even be at risk for frost bite externally in the temps mentioned here, let alone internally.