What is frostbite? | #aumsum #kids #science #education #children

Our core body temperature is about 37 degrees Celsius or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain this temperature, our blood transports warmth to all our body. But prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can decrease our core body temperature.

Now, our brain constricts the blood vessels of our limbs, diverting blood to the vital organs to maintain their core temperature. As our limbs don't get sufficient warmth, they start to freeze, giving us frostbite. Frostbite progresses in three stages.

First is frost nip, in which the surface of our skin freezes. During the second stage called superficial frostbite, often ice crystals form in the skin. During the third stage, that is, deep frostbite, the underlying tissues, blood vessels, bones, etc. freeze and may get permanently damaged.