What is a common symptom of frostbite?

A common symptom of frostbite is pain and swelling. Frostbite occurs when skin and other tissues freeze due to exposure to extremely cold temperatures, and the affected areas can initially become very painful. As tissue damage progresses, this pain may give way to a numb sensation. Swelling is also commonly observed as the body's inflammatory response occurs in reaction to the cold damage. The combination of pain and swelling is a key indicator that frostbite is present, helping first aid responders identify and address the injury promptly.

In contrast, symptoms like increased heart rate, nausea, and cheek redness are not typically associated with frostbite. Increased heart rate may relate to other conditions such as shock or anxiety, while nausea is more associated with various forms of distress or illness rather than cold exposure. Cheek redness could indicate mild exposure to cold but doesn’t specifically denote frostbite, which primarily affects areas that are more exposed and have less blood flow, often leading to a pale or waxy appearance instead.