If left untreated, what can frostnip lead to?

Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite, which occurs when skin is exposed to cold temperatures, causing it to become numb and pale. If frostnip is left untreated, it can indeed progress to frostbite, where deeper tissues are affected, potentially leading to severe damage and complications, including permanent injury.

Hypothermia, on the other hand, is a more systemic condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in a dangerously low body temperature. While frostnip can be an early sign of potential hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold, it does not directly lead to hypothermia itself; rather, it indicates the body's struggle to maintain its temperature in cold conditions.

The other options, cramps and heat stroke, are unrelated to the effects of frostnip. Cramps can occur due to dehydration or overexertion, while heat stroke results from overheating and excessive exposure to high temperatures, neither of which are a consequence of frostnip. Thus, frostnip primarily leads towards frostbite, emphasizing the importance of addressing cold injuries promptly to prevent further complications.