After the World Cup in Ruka, there was a lot of talk about the frostbite injuries of skiers. Suomen who told about their penis freezing Remi Lindholm and Sweden Calle Halfvarsson basked in international headlines.
– It’s bad, it’s bad. It was and still is quite numb. Toes are the worst, Lindholm commented to Iltalehti After the 20 km freestyle race.
Calle Halfvarsson said that there is no more terrible experience than the freezing of the penis.
– Holy shit, I had to lay there for ten minutes to warm it up again, Halfvarsson told Expressen and pointed to the tent in the finish area, where the skiers warmed up after the race.
– It hurts like hell. This is terrible.
It wasn’t the first time for either of them. Halfvarsson has previously told Iltalehtithat his penis froze in Ruka in 2019 or 2020. According to Halfvarsson, his lower end almost exploded then.
Remi Lindholm meanwhile, made headlines at the Beijing Olympics when he said his penis froze during a 50-kilometer ski run.
Lindholm stated in Iltalehti on Sunday that he ended up wearing the same clothes in Ruka last weekend as he did in the famous competition in Beijing: boxers and sweatpants. The alternative was to put wind protection boxers in addition to the layers.
Professor of acute medicine, head of department at HUS, Maaret Castrén reminds on a general level and otherwise than from the point of view of a top athlete that prevention is important in cold weather. What is important is clothing and proper equipment, which are sized for the time spent outdoors.
It was freezing in Ruka on Sunday at the time of the skiing competitions, 15–18 degrees. The wind added to the bite of the frost. In Sunday’s race, Ruka also had a long descent, where speeds rose to more than 70 kilometers per hour. The women’s race lasted about 55 minutes for the best. The men took 48 minutes to complete the 20 km race.
Finland’s star skier Krista Pärmäkoski protects from the frost in a well-known way. At Ruka, he had protective tapes on his cheeks both days.
– It wasn’t cold at all. I knew how to protect myself well. When the clothes were changed, quite a lot of people got angry. At this age, he has learned to protect himself properly. It’s a good feeling when you’re not cold about anything, Pärmäkoski told Urheilu on Sunday after the women’s competition.
Frostbite injuries can occur in an instant
The women’s competition saw drama when the American star Jessie Diggins struggled for victory at the end without a glove and a bloodied mouth after a failed replacement of a broken stick.
At the end of the race, Diggins pushed hard for three minutes bare-handed. After that, the American was treated for a long time. He said that it was painful to get his hand back in shape.
According to Castrén, frostbite can occur very quickly.
– Humidity and strong wind accelerate the possibility of frostbite. If it’s cold enough and you don’t have the appropriate equipment, you don’t have to be out in the cold for long before you get frostbite, Castrén illustrates.
Frostbite injuries can easily recur
In the cold, frostbite easily occurs on the extreme parts of the body, such as the face, fingers and toes. In that sense, the genitals are sensitive to frostbite, because the skin is not as thick as on the hands and feet.
– Blood circulation in the genital organ becomes difficult in the same way as in other body parts when they are frozen. At worst, frostbitten areas turn black. It may be that the blood circulation can no longer be restored and the body part will not recover. The dead part would then have to be removed. I’ve never heard of that happening with the genitals, but fingers and toes, yes, Castrén opens.
Frostbite injuries can become lifelong problems for anyone.
– Pain can occur very easily, even if the most severe frostbite has been spared, Castrén describes.
The unpleasant side of frostbite is that they can easily recur.
– Unpleasant skin sensations can remain in frostbitten areas, the expert says.
Castrén explains the treatment instructions for those suffering from frostbite.
– You have to go to a warm place and let the frostbitten body part warm up peacefully in good indoor conditions. Frostbitten areas should not be massaged or put in warm water, advises Castrén.
He also reminds you of one tip, which is no longer true.
– Fats that prevent frostbite are not recommended. However, dry skin is a better protection than skin moistened with fat, says Castrén.
Both Lindholm and Hafvarsson will compete in the Jällivaara World Cup in Sweden this coming weekend. shows the competitions on its channels.