What symptoms are associated with frostbite?

The symptoms associated with frostbite primarily include skin that feels cold to the touch, exhibits numbness, and presents a hard or waxy texture. These clinical manifestations result from tissue damage due to exposure to freezing temperatures, which leads to ice crystal formation within cells and ultimately impacts circulation. As the body's protective response to extreme cold fails, the affected skin can also change color, often appearing pale or blue, and can lose sensation.

Understanding the physical characteristics of frostbite is crucial for recognizing it early and facilitating proper treatment. The other descriptions provided do not accurately reflect the changes seen in frostbite; instead, they represent conditions associated with other types of skin injuries or reactions unrelated to severe cold exposure.