What degree of cold injury involves partial thickness skin injury with vesiculation and numbness?

The correct answer is second-degree cold injury, which is characterized by partial thickness skin injury. This type of injury affects the upper layers of the skin, leading to symptoms such as vesiculation (blistering) and numbness.

In the case of a second-degree cold injury, the damage penetrates deeper than a first-degree cold injury, which is typically limited to the superficial layer of the skin. First-degree injuries often present with redness and pain but do not cause blisters or numbness.

Third-degree cold injuries involve full thickness of the skin and underlying tissues, resulting in significant damage, which may include eschar formation and loss of sensation entirely in the affected area. Similarly, fourth-degree injuries extend beyond the skin into muscle and bone, resulting in severe tissue necrosis.

Therefore, the symptoms of vesiculation and numbness specifically align with the characteristics of a second-degree cold injury.