What are the differences between first, second-, and third-degree burns?
A first-degree burn usually shows redness and mild swelling and is painful. It involves the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, and is often the result of overexposure to the sun, brief contact with a hot object, or scalding with hot water or steam. The pain may not become noticeable for an hour or more after exposure, as in a mild sunburn. A second-degree burn is more severe than a first-degree burn and involves both the epidermis and the dermis, the layer below the epidermis. It has a mottled red appearance and shows considerable swelling with blisters. Severe pain is immediate, even on a small burn. The surface of the skin may be wet because of the leakage of plasma through the damaged layers. A third-degree burn involves even deeper tissue destruction, removal of all layers of skin, and possible damage to underlying structures. Initially, a second-degree burn may be more painful than a third-degree burn because a third-degree burn destroys the nerve endings in the skin. First-
