Published on
Updated
Reading 3 mins.
In his book The Substitute, which is due out on Tuesday, Prince Harry makes many revelations, in particular that of having been the victim of frostbite on the level of the penis during an expedition. An injury that still made him suffer at the wedding of his brother, and which is not so rare as that.
As Prince Harry prepares to publish a punchy testimony in which he targets the entire English monarchy, it is a health anecdote that is making headlines today. In March 2011, while carrying out a 230 km expedition to the North Pole, the prince would have found himself with frostbite to the cheeks, ears, but also to the penis.
An injury that he still endured during the marriage of his brother Prince William with Kate Middleton and which made him fear a partial penectomy – the removal of part of the penis. But beyond the intimate anecdote and the memes about his frozen penis, frostbite of the penis is an event that can actually happen, and faster than you think in extreme conditions.
Frostbite, a phenomenon that affects “all” extremities
Frostbite can indeed occur anywhere on the body when the skin is exposed to extreme temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. But the extremities, including the ears, nose, hands and penis, are particularly vulnerable.
As the National health service (NHS) explained in the wake of this revelation, cold constricts blood vessels, slowing blood flow, so flow to organs must be increased. But as the blood is redirected to the organs, the extremities of the body become cold. The affected area begins to feel cold and sore. If the cold exposure continues, the pins and needles sensation may occur before the area goes numb. The tissues are then deprived of oxygen, which can simply kill them and require amputation in the most extreme cases.
What treatment for intimate frostbite?
People suffering from frostbite, which usually affects climbers and skiers, (several Winter Olympics skiers are affected each edition) must be taken to a warm environment as a matter of urgency. The warming process can then begin, but it is gradual and painful: doctors usually warm the affected areas very gradually in lukewarm water, and use painkillers, because the warm blood that surrounds the frozen tissues, has an impact on nerve signals. The earliest stage, frostbite, which the Duke of Sussex outlines in his book, is the easiest to treat. When the impact reaches the level of frostbite of the penis, however, there is a risk of bacterial infections of the wounds, such as tetanus, and sepsis which requires hospitalization. A skin graft may also be necessary.
In the case of Prince Harry, the injury seems to have mainly required time and, as he himself reveals, the application of the famous 8 hour cream, by Elizabeth Arden, his mother’s favorite , For many months. A cream known for its moisturizing properties that prevented dryness and cracking. But if we are to believe the latest rumors about the release of his book, these are all other revelations that risk throwing a chill on England.
According to the Ameli website, if you are in a situation of suffering from frostbite, whatever the extremities concerned, certain advice can prevent you from aggravating your risks:
- Try to warm the affected skin gradually, for example by putting your hand under your armpit or wrapping it in a blanket. You can also immerse the affected parts in a lukewarm bath. Gradually increase the temperature of the water to 42°C (no more, at the risk of aggravating your wounds if you have any). Then, hold your skin in the water until it turns reddish, usually after 20 to 30 minutes;
- Avoid rubbing, massaging or manipulating the affected area, so as not to destroy the tissues;
- Do not use dry heat (eg hair dryer, fan heater) to warm your skin: the lesions could increase;
- Do not drink alcohol. You could cause blood vessels to dilate, causing greater loss of body heat;
- To bring the blood back to your extremities, make circular motions with your arms, clap your hands, or stomp in place.