Depth | Cause* | Appearance | Sensation | Healing time |
Superficial (epidermal) | Ultraviolet exposure (eg, sunburn)¶ Very short flash | Intense erythema Blanches with pressure | Painful | 3 to 6 days |
Superficial partial-thickness | Scald (spill or splash) Short flash | Blisters Moist, red, weeping Blanches with pressure | Painful to temperature and air and touch | 7 to 21 days |
Deep partial-thickness | Scald (spill) Flame Oil Grease Chemical¶ Ionizing radiation¶ | Blisters (easily unroofed) Wet or waxy dry Variable color (patchy to cheesy white to red) Blanching with pressure may be sluggish or absent | Painful to pressure | >21 days Usually requires surgical treatment |
Full-thickness | Scald (immersion) Flame Steam Oil Grease Chemical¶ Ionizing radiation¶ Electrical | Waxy white to leathery gray to charred and black Dry and inelastic No blanching with pressure | Deep pressure only | Rarely heals without surgical treatment (if >2% total body surface area) |
Deeper injury | Extends into fascia and/or muscle | Deep pressure | Rarely heals without surgical treatment |
* More than one type of burn can be present.
¶ The depth of chemical burns depends on the strength of the acid or base as well as length of contact. The effects of radiation (nonionizing, ionizing) similarly depend on length of exposure and dose.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?