In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage. Skin grafting takes healthy skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the burned skin. As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton balls and questionable home remedies. Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:. However, seek emergency medical treatment if the burn affects a widespread area, such as any of the following:. Excluding fourth-degree burns, third-degree burns are the most severe.
They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin. There is a misconception that third-degree burns are the most painful. However, with this type of burn the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve damage. Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture.
There is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for third-degree burns. Never attempt to self-treat a third-degree burn. Call immediately. Compared with first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns carry the most risk for complications, such as infections , blood loss, and shock , which is often what could lead to death.
At the same time, all burns carry the risk of infections because bacteria can enter broken skin. Tetanus is another possible complication with burns of all levels. Like sepsis , tetanus is a bacterial infection. It affects the nervous system, eventually leading to problems with muscle contractions. As a rule of thumb, every member of your household should receive updated tetanus shots every 10 years to prevent this type of infection.
Severe burns also carry the risk of hypothermia and hypovolemia. Dangerously low body temperatures characterize hypothermia. While this may seem like an unexpected complication of a burn, the condition is actually prompted by excessive loss of body heat from an injury. Hypovolemia, or low blood volume, occurs when your body loses too much blood from a burn.
The obvious best way to fight burns is to prevent them from happening. Certain jobs put you at a greater risk for burns, but the fact is that most burns happen at home. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable to burns. Preventive measures you can take at home include:. First-degree superficial burns. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example.
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In This Section. Third-degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed. Previous Section Next Section. Clinical Trials. MyHealth Login. Financial Assistance. Medical Records. Contact Us. Video Visits.
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