WASHINGTON — The D.C. area is expecting another bitter cold day Tuesday, with high temperatures in the upper 20s, so it’s a day to bundle up to stay safely warm, a local doctor advises.
“As opposed to wearing one thick garment, you want to wear layers. You definitely want to keep your head covered, and make sure you wear nice warm gloves as well as nice warm socks,” says Dr. Mike Remoll, medical director of the emergency department at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
It’s critical to keep feet, hands and head warm, he says.
“The feet and the hands and the head are at highest risk for problems with hypothermia,” Remoll says.
Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it.
“Hypothermia is characterized by excessive shivering along with feeling of exhaustion or dizziness, lightheadedness, that sort of thing,” Remoll says.
The doctor recommends that anyone working outdoors take frequent breaks and avoid perspiring, because wet skin is at greater risk from the cold than dry skin.
Listen to the full interview with Remoll: