Burns are classified into three degrees based on the depth of tissue damage:
1. First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling, but typically do not blister. Think of a mild sunburn as an example.
2. Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns damage both the epidermis and the dermis, the skin's deeper layer. These burns cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. The severity can vary; some second-degree burns are superficial, while others are deeper and more serious.
3. Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, destroy the epidermis and dermis, and may extend to underlying tissues such as fat, muscle, or even bone. These burns may appear white, charred, or black and may not be painful initially due to nerve damage. They require immediate medical attention. [Source: Multiple sources including Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stanford Health Care, Cleveland Clinic, MedlinePlus, and others corroborate this three-degree classification system.]
The provided references consistently describe the three degrees of burns based on the depth of skin tissue damage. They highlight the key characteristics of each degree, including pain levels, appearance, and involvement of different skin layers. The severity of a burn impacts the required treatment.
