A 35-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between 1st degree and 2nd degree burns?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Packanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Blisters, pain: 1st-degree burn: least serious. It burns only the outer layer of skin. The skin turns red, may see swelling, pain mild.
2nd-degree burn: the burn is deeper, blisters develop, skin is usually very red, swelling occurs, pain more severe.
3rd-degree burn: most serious burns, it involves all layers of the skin. It causes permanent tissue damage.
Fat, muscle and even bone can be involved.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 17, 2017
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