Various Types of Burns

Also known as: Superficial burn

Description: A first degree burn involves minimal tissue damage on the skin surface, or epidermis. They appear red in color and are highly sensitive to touch.

Facts: A sunburn is an example of a first degree burn.

• First degree burn description with first aid procedures

Also known as: Partial thickness burn

Description: Second degree burns affect both the surface layer of skin, or epidermis, and the underlying layer of skin, or dermis. In addition to redness, second degree burns may manifest as blisters and swelling. Sweat glands and hair follicles are often affected.

• Second degree burn description with first aid procedures

Also known as: Full thickness burn

Description: Third degree burns penetrate deeply into the body, affecting the skin and the layers of tissue beneath the skin. The burned skin may appear charred or translucent white. The burn areas may be numb because there are no nerve cells remaining alive to transmit the sensation of pain. However, there may be pain from adjacent areas that have suffered second degree burns.

• Third degree burn description with first aid procedures

Description: Damage from heat inhalation occurs if hot air or another heat source is directly breathed in or forced into the airway by high pressure. Unless steam is involved, which has a higher thermal capacity than dry air, thermal injury is often confined to the upper airways.

Other types of inhalation injuries include damage from systemic toxins (such as carbon monoxide) and smoke inhalation.