Why is it important not to apply ice packs directly to the skin? a. applying ice directly to the skin won't reduce swelling. b. applying ice directly to the skin does not decrease pain. c. applying ice directly to the skin can result in nerve damage. d. applying ice directly to the skin increases bleeding.

The answer is: C. Applying ice directly to the skin can result in nerve damage.

Nerve damage can occurs if the nerves is directly exposed to higher or lower temperature than it's used to. To be save, you need to wrap the ice pack with some sort of clothes or bandages to prevent the ice from making direct contact with the skin.