Classification Of Burn Wounds

Question 0

Superficial partial thickness (second degree)

Answer 0

Damage to upper layers of dermis and epidermis

Blisters
Inflammation
Severe pain

Healing in 7-10 days without surgical intervention

Minimal scarring with some residual skin color changes

Question 1

Superficial burn (first degree burn)

Answer 1

Damage to epidermis only

Erythema
Slight edema
Tenderness
NO blistering

Some peeling of skin in 2-5 days

Question 2

Deep partial thickness (second degree)

Answer 2

Most of dermis is destroyed with injury to hair follicles, nerve endings, & sweat glands

Red or white appearance
Edema
Blistering
Severe pain

Pain is experienced since not all nerve endings are destroyed

Healing takes 3-5 weeks
*hypertrophic & keloid scarring common

Question 3

Full thickness (third degree)

Answer 3

Complete destruction of epidermis, dermis, & subcutaneous tissues (fat, etc) with some muscle damage

Tissues are white, gray, or black with dry surface edema, Escher formation, & insensate or little pain.

Nerve endings are destroyed… Often significant pain to surrounding tissue, but not the full-thickness area

Surgical removal of escher
Skin grafting

Infection
Hypertrophic scarring: raised scar within boundaries of burn wound
Keloid scarring: scar extends beyond the boundaries of the original burn wound

Question 4

Subdermal (fourth degree)

Answer 4

Complete destruction of epidermis, dermis, & subcutaneous tissues& involves bone and muscle

Skin is charred, dry, or mummified

Destruction of vascular system may lead to additional tissue necrosis

Amputation & muscle loss are common