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What is the scale of burn severity?

On Behalf of | May 26, 2022 | Injuries |

Burn damage can do a lot to harm a person both in the short and long term. Of course, the more severe a burn injury, the worse this damage will grow.

Starting from first-degree and going to third, each type of burn has its own impact. Understanding the scale can help a person understand how burns and burn injuries affect victims every day.

First- and second-degree burns

Temple Health discusses the scale of severity of burns. First-degree burns make up the least severe category, which involves the surface layer of skin only. Typically no blisters will form, though the skin will often look red, feel tight, and have some level of pain when touched. Sunburns most often fall under this category.

Second-degree burns involve at least two levels of the skin and will often blister. These burns can feel a lot more painful to the point where the victim cannot move around much. If the burn covers a certain area of the skin or affects the face, then doctors would categorize it as a severe injury.

Third-degree burns

Third-degree burns will involve all layers of the skin and can sometimes affect the muscle and bone beneath. Victims may not feel pain due to the destruction of nerves in the area. The skin will also likely look white or charred rather than red. All third-degree burns, no matter the size or location, fall under the category of severe injury.

It is important for victims of burns to get immediate medical treatment in order to minimize the related damage like infection, disfiguration and scarring.