Health's Book

Definition

There are three levels of burns:

* First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.
* Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
* Third-degree (full thickness) burns extend into deeper tissues. They cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

Symptoms

* Blisters
* Pain (the degree of pain is not related to the severity of the burn -- the most serious burns can be painless)
* Peeling skin
* Red skin
* Shock (watch for pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness)
* Swelling
* White or charred skin

Symptoms of an airways burn:

* Charred mouth; burned lips
* Burns on the head, face, or neck
* Wheezing
* Change in voice
* Difficulty breathing; coughing
* Singed nose hairs or eyebrows
* Dark, carbon-stained mucus