• Question: why does your hand burn when you put salt and a ice cube in your hand then squeeze it ?

    Asked by tommymiddleton to Anna, Jonathan, Samantha, Sam on 4 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: Jonathan Kay

      Jonathan Kay answered on 4 Jul 2012:


      You have sensors in your skin that connect to nerves that go to your brain.

      If you squeeze an ice cube you stimulate lots of those sensors.

      I’ve never heard of that effect of salt.

      (Edited on 4 July 2012 at 1550)

    • Photo: Samantha Weaver

      Samantha Weaver answered on 4 Jul 2012:


      I really hope you haven’t been doing this because it is very dangerous and can lead to permanent scarring. The salt lowers the freezing temperature of the ice and basically inflicts frostbite on the skin which can be really serious. PLEASE do not try it.

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