The Different Types and Degrees of Burns That Can Potentially Occur

Over a million people seek medical attention for burns in the United States each year. While most people believe burns are harmless, this is far from true. Over four thousand people seeking medical treatment for burns will die annually.

Globally, this problem is even more severe. Around eleven million people worldwide will seek medical attention for burns, and about 180,000 of them will die. This proves the seriousness of burns.

But not all burns are life-threatening. Continue reading to learn about the different types and degrees of burns that can potentially occur. This can help you evaluate whether any burns you receive will require medical attention.

1st Degree Burns

First-degree burns are mild and only affect the outermost layer of skin. The skin may be red and painful, but blistering won’t occur. Generally, there will be no long-term damage or scarring.

2nd Degree Burns

Second-degree burns affect both the outermost layer of skin and the layer beneath it. As a result, the skin is likely to be bright red, swollen, and may look wet. Blisters are common with second-degree burns, and there is a significant chance of scarring.

3rd Degree Burns

A third-degree burn will destroy two full layers of skin. Although this sounds painful, the most concerning part of a third-degree burn is that you may not feel any pain. This type of burn can damage the nerve endings in the area of the body you burned, causing a loss of all sensation.

A third-degree burn may turn red, but it could also appear black, brown, yellow, or white instead. Blisters are common, and most third-degree burns cause scarring.

4th Degree Burns

Fourth-degree burns are the worst possible type, and they can be life-threatening. Not only do these serious burns destroy all your skin layers, but they can also cause damage to your bones, muscles, and tendons. Nerve damage, blistering, and scarring are very common with fourth-degree burns.

Burn Causes

Burns can happen for many different reasons. For example, friction burns occur when an object slides across your skin at a fast rate, while chemical burns happen from chemicals contacting your skin. Prolonged exposure to ice or heat can also cause burns.

Burns can happen at home. Generally, these are heat-related or friction burns. Trying to install electrical components at home can also cause electric burns.

Some burns can happen at work. While some burns may occur through your own fault, others can happen because of poor safety measures in the workplace. If this is the case, you’ll want to speak to a personal injury lawyer for burns to see what can be done about the situation.

More Questions About the Types and Degrees of Burns?

The seriousness of burns is described through degrees ranging from first to fourth. First-degree burns are the least damaging, while fourth-degree burns can be life-threatening. Burns can happen anywhere, but home and work are the most common places.

Do you have more questions about the types and degrees of burns?