[m463]

I keep my shower at the same temperature.

In the morning it feels hot.

But after hiking on a cold (not freezing) day the water feels SCALDING.

I suspect there are actually two "hot" shower types:

- the actual scalding shower with physical damage

- the "scalding" shower which is actually skin-temperature-sensor overload that is more psychological. It is more a accustomed temperature difference thing.

but below freezing / with frostbite, I have no idea.

[namaria]

Thermoception is indeed thought to be a response to heat flux rather than absolute temperatures. If the tissue is colder, water at the same temperature should warm it up faster and thus elicit a stronger heat perception.