Watching Everest documentaries, why is amputation the only cure for severe frost bite?

Question

I would think the body would heal when it gets warm or medical technology is advanced enough to allow some healing.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Severe frostbite, the affected area is already dead. You can’t heal what’s dead.

That flesh is already going to decay and fall off, amputation let’s you break off the dead flesh at a healthy area that can heal over to prevent infection.

Leaving the dead flesh on there is just giving a place for bacteria to grow