Which of the following is an example of a freezing injury?

• A. Heat syncope
• B. Frostbite
• C. Heat cramps
• D. Heat exhaustion

Answer: (B)

Freezing injuries happen when tissue temperatures drop enough for ice to form inside cells, causing cellular and vascular damage. Frostbite is the classic example of this, since it directly involves freezing of skin and underlying tissues—typically in the fingers, toes, nose, or ears. Early signs include numbness and pale, waxy skin; the area may feel firm or frozen. After rewarming, it can become red, painful, and blistered. The other listed conditions reflect overheating: heat syncope is fainting from overheating and dehydration, heat cramps are muscle cramps from electrolyte loss during sweating, and heat exhaustion is a broader syndrome of dehydration with heat stress. So frostbite represents a true freezing injury, not a heat-related one.