Clinical Overview
Reviewed by Michael Fuller, M.D.

Two million people suffer burns each year in the United States. Burns are the nation's third largest cause of accidental death. Burns can be caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, and irradiation.

Specialists diagnose burns according to the thickness of the burn through the skin. A first-degree burn occurs when the top layer of skin, called the epidermis, is burned. Second-degree burns, or partial thickness burns, occurs when the burn penetrates beyond the superficial epidermis and burns into the dermis. A third-degree burn, or a full-thickness burn, burns completely through the dermis, and may burn into the underlying flesh and bones.


The kind of treatment a burn requires depends on the layers of skin and flesh that are burned.


First-degree burns appear red or pink in color, and may be mildly swollen. The skin feels raw and tender. Sunburn is the most common kind of first-degree burn.


First-degree burns are considered to be the least harmful of burn injuries. Typically, complete recovery occurs within four to five days, and skin heals without scarring.


Second-degree burns turn the skin bright red. The skin can also appear blistered, swollen and moist in appearance. Blisters are the distinguishing characteristic of second-degree burns. Second-degree burns are extremely painful.


A large degree of variation exists with partial thickness burns. Mild second-degree burns are much like first-degree burns, and require similar treatment. More serious second-degree burns require similar treatment to third-degree burns. A deep second-degree burn can cause permanent scars.


The following types of burns can result in first or second-degree burns:

• thermal burns, or burns caused by heat or flames
  
• contact burns, burns caused by a hot surface like an iron, light bulb or muffler tail pipe
  
• scald, a burn caused by hot water, grease or radiator fluid
  
• sunburn
  

Last updated: May-02-07