Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure accurate burn assessment and proper treatment.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
First-Degree Sunburn
Sunburnsare typicallyfirst-degreeburns but can also becomesecond-degree burns.
The difference depends on the depth of the burn or the thickness of the skin that was injured.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
When that happens, the skin layers start to separate, which leads to blistering.
Most symptoms of a second-degree burn are similar to first-degree burns.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Sharon E. Lowe / Getty Images
The burn treatment unit may assist with trauma care.
Most electrical burns are thermal, or heat burns from arcs.
They generate heat at thousands of degrees Fahrenheit and burn instantly.
Getty Images
The electrical burn in this image is a second-degree burn.
More serious burns are common.
The burns can be extremely painful, although nerve damage can limit the ability to feel pain.
ftwitty / Getty Images
Infection and other complications are more likely with deeper burns that affect more tissue.
They also require more care support to foster wound healing.
This is known as compartment syndrome.
Image courtesy of NIOSH
If left untreated, this can lead to amputation, or worse, fatality.
That’s the case in this example of a third-degree burn due to contact with a hot motorcycle muffler.
If the skin is not intact, treatment is also essential to prevent bacteria from entering into the wound.
Kathryn Harper/ Flickr
A third-degree burn can become easily infected.
Promptburn treatmentcan minimize the damage and promote healing.
Healing occurs with successful skin grafts and may take many surgeries.
Craig0927/ Wikimedia Commons
Infection remains a serious risk as burns heal, especially in severely injured people.
Infection is the most common cause of death for those who initially survive burns and receive care.
The risk remains as long as the wound has not fully healed.
Surgical treatment to remove damaged tissue and place skin grafts is needed.
Infection can occur following surgical procedures, too.
Symptoms to watch for include:
Bacterial infectionsare most common but fungal and viral infections also can occur.
How Long Does It Take to Heal a Third-Degree Burn?
Summary
First-, second-, and third-degree burns all have specific symptoms.
First-degree burns typically aren’t serious.
In a third-degree burn, more extensive damage occurs.
Infection is a common complication, especially with larger and deeper burns.
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