What is frost bite?

• A. Freezing of the skin
• B. Inflammation of the skin
• C. Scabbing of the skin
• D. Sunburned skin

Answer: (A)

Frost bite is the freezing of the skin and underlying tissues when you’re exposed to very cold temperatures. When tissue freezes, ice crystals can form inside cells and in the small blood vessels, damaging cells and reducing blood flow. This produces numbness, a pale or waxy appearance, hardness, and, as it thaws, blistering. In more severe cases, prolonged freezing can lead to tissue death if not treated promptly. Understanding this helps you recognize why the injury needs gentle rewarming and protection rather than rubbing or applying direct heat.

The other options don’t fit because they describe inflammation of the skin, scabbing during healing, or sunburn from UV light, none of which involve actual freezing of skin tissue.