How should injuries caused by contact with liquid refrigerant be treated?

Injuries caused by contact with liquid refrigerant should be treated as frostbite. Liquid refrigerants are often extremely cold; when they come into contact with the skin, they can cause freezing of the skin and underlying tissues, similar to frostbite. Immediate treatment involves gradually rewarming the affected area and avoiding direct heat sources, as this can cause further damage. The affected area should be gently immersed in warm (not hot) water or wrapped in warm, dry cloths to help restore normal temperature.

Burn treatment, while important for thermal burns, does not apply here since the injury type is due to extreme cold. Seeking immediate medical attention is always prudent in cases of suspected frostbite, but the immediate first aid treatment starts with recognizing the injury as frostbite and acting accordingly. Cooling the area with ice is inappropriate and potentially harmful, as it further lowers the temperature of already frozen tissue. This could exacerbate the damage, whereas appropriate warming is critical for treatment.