Types of Burns

First-degree burns - First-degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin, or also known as the epidermis. The burn site looks red, and is painful, dry, but has no blisters. An example of a first-degree burn is a sunburn.

Second-degree burns - Second-degree burns involve the outer layer of skin/epidermis and part of the lower layer of skin, the dermis. The burn site looks red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

Third-degree burns - Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. The injury may go into deep into the innermost layer of skin, the subcutaneous tissue. The burn site may look white or blackened and charred.

Fourth-degree burns - Fourth-degree burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly reaching the muscle and bone. The area will have no feeling since the nerve endings are destroyed.