What type of burn affects all layers of the skin and causes blistering, swelling, and scarring?

A third-degree burn is one that affects all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues. This type of burn can cause significant damage, leading to symptoms such as blistering, swelling, and scarring. Because it completely destroys the skin's ability to regenerate, third-degree burns often require medical intervention and may result in permanent scarring.

The characteristics of third-degree burns include the loss of sensation in the burned area due to nerve damage, and the burnt area may appear white, leathery, or charred. This contrasts with first-degree burns, which only affect the outer layer of skin, causing redness and minor pain rather than blistering and scarring. Second-degree burns impact the outer and part of the underlying layer, causing blisters and significant pain, but they do not extend through all layers and may heal with proper care, often without permanent scars. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, affecting muscles and bones, but this is a more severe classification that includes complete tissue destruction.

This understanding of burn classification is crucial for assessing the severity of injuries and determining appropriate treatment and care.