Final answer:
Frostbite is the condition caused by prolonged exposure to wet cold, resulting from reduced blood circulation to extremities to conserve core body heat, which can lead to tissue damage and possible gangrene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition caused by prolonged exposure to wet cold at temperatures ranging from just above freezing to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which may also occur in the hands, is known as frostbite. Frostbite happens when the body reduces blood circulation to extremities like the hands and feet to conserve heat for the body's core. When exposed to severe cold, tissues in these areas can suffer damage from reduced circulation; in extreme cases, this can lead to gangrene and potential amputation.
During cold exposure, blood vessels constrict to minimize heat loss, a process that can lead to frostbite if environmental temperatures drop significantly. Another physiological cold response is the hunting response, which is an alternating pattern of vasoconstriction and vasodilation in extremities that helps to protect against frostbite and hypothermia through short bursts of blood flow that slightly warm the area.