Suffering from a burn injury will result in different ways of treatment depending on its categorization.
Thus, it is important to understand the different categories that burn injuries fall into. This determines the type of treatment needed, the negative effects that may occur, and the type of healing process an injury sufferer may undergo.
First-degree burns
Healthline takes a look at varying degrees of burn injuries. These injuries traditionally fall into one of three categories: first, second and third-degree burns.
First-degree burns are the mildest, and many people have experienced them before in the form of sunburns. These are superficial burns that only affect the topmost layer of skin. Injured individuals will experience redness and could feel tightness of the skin, a hot sensation, and pain especially when touching the burned injury. These burns do not often require medical intervention.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns involve at least two layers of flesh and will usually result in blistering. These injuries do require medical aid, though the burns are not considered serious unless on the face or taking up more than three inches of skin.
Third-degree burns
Third-degree is the most severe and always requires immediate medical attention no matter their size or location. This involves multiple layers of flesh and can cause a numb sensation due to nerve damage, so a victim may not feel pain. The burn usually looks white or black. It can result in scarring, deformation and has a high risk of infection. Victims can even go into shock or die over third-degree burns, making treatment crucial.