Frostbite is damage to the skin and tissue caused by what?

• A. Damage to the skin and tissue caused by extreme cold
• B. Dehydration from heat
• C. Bacterial infection from cold
• D. Warmth loss

Answer: (A)

Frostbite happens when skin and the deeper tissues are damaged by freezing temperatures. Extreme cold causes ice crystals to form in the skin and underlying tissues and also reduces blood flow to the area, which leads to cell damage. That’s why the condition presents with numbness and changes in skin color or texture as the tissue freezes. It’s not about dehydration from heat, nor is it a bacterial infection from the cold, and it isn’t simply warmth loss—the term frostbite specifically describes tissue freezing and injury from cold. Remember, frostbite is a localized injury, whereas overall hypothermia is a whole-body condition from being cold for too long.