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Categorizing Burns

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Burns can be categorized in two different ways. The first classification is by the depth of the injury and the extent of the burn. The second is by how much of the person's body is burned.

The depth of the burn can be classified in one of three ways: first degree, second degree or third degree. A first degree burn is the least damaging while a third degree is the most.

A first degree burn only affects the top layer of the skin, or the epidermis. The skin is tender and appears reddened initially, and then lightens when pressure is applied. The most common form of first degree burn is a sunburn. First degree burns will not make you sick and you do not need to be hospitalized for this type of burn. The burn will heal on its own within four or five days and no scarring should occur.

A second degree burn reaches the dermis layer of skin after burning through the epidermis layer. The skin will typically blister and the hair follicles and sweat glands can also be affected. This type of burn is the type that can result from picking up a pot that is too hot or from touching a hot light bulb.

Third degree burns are the most severe and burn all the way through to the hypodermis which is the third and final layer of your skin, while some third degree burns reach even below this layer. The skin will appear charred and have a white or translucent look to it. Numbness may occur in some areas, but pain will still be felt from the upper layers of burns. The danger of these burns is the nerve and tissue damage they can cause. Scarring will most likely take place with a third degree burn, and some patients may even require a skin graft or other sort of regenerative procedure.

Next Page: How Do You Care for a Burn?

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