Which term refers to a freezing injury to tissues?

• A. Frostnip
• B. Hypothermia
• C. Frostbite
• D. Trench Foot

Answer: (C)

Frostbite is a freezing injury to tissues. When skin and deeper tissues are exposed to freezing temperatures, ice crystals form in the cells and interstitial spaces, causing cellular damage and vascular injury that can lead to tissue death if not addressed. It usually presents with numbness, pale or waxy skin, and a hard, frozen-feeling area; blisters and more extensive damage can occur with deeper involvement. Frostnip, in contrast, is a milder form where only the surface freezes and there is no tissue death—skin may feel numb or sting but recovers with gentle warming. Hypothermia is a systemic drop in core body temperature, not a localized freezing injury. Trench foot results from prolonged exposure to cold, damp conditions, causing nonfreezing tissue injury due to poor perfusion rather than ice formation in the tissue. Management focuses on gradual rewarming, avoiding physical rubbing or applying direct heat, and seeking medical care for deep frostbite or signs of complications.