EMS Environmental Emergencies Practice Test

Frostbite damages tissue by freezing, so the skin often becomes pale, cold, and numb as blood flow is restricted. The most identifying signs are patchy mottling of the skin along with blistering as the tissue thaws and injury becomes more evident. Mottling reflects uneven freezing and impaired circulation, while blisters indicate tissue damage from the freezing process and subsequent rewarming. Redness alone isn’t typical for frostbite, as the skin is usually pale or waxy. Warmth and swelling can occur with inflammation or after warming, but they don’t define frostbite. Numbness is common, but pink coloration suggests some return of blood flow, which is not the hallmark feature of frostbite.