Burn injuries are extremely painful and can leave permanent physical and psychological scars. According to the Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation, in the early 1990s, more than 2.4 million burn injuries were reported in the United States each year. Of these burn injuries, more than a million involved significant physical damage.

Every year, thousands of burn injuries result in death. In fact, burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death, after auto accidents.

There are four categories of burn injuries:

1. First degree burns
2. Superficial second degree burns
3. deep second degree burns
4. Third degree burns

First degree burns

First degree burns generally affect the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. A first degree burn tends to be moist and red in color. A burn of this nature usually resolves within a week. A classic example of a first degree burn would be a mild sunburn.

Superficial second degree burns
A superficial second degree burn penetrates the entire epidermal layer of the skin and extends to the next layer of skin, known as the dermis. Pressure on a second degree burn tends to produce a pale red color. The burn may appear moist and pink in color. A superficial second degree burn should also heal on its own, often within two weeks.

deep second degree burns
A deep second-degree burn differs from the superficial variety because the tissue destruction extends deeper into the dermis. A burn of this nature will be dry and whitish in color. It will not produce red berries with the application of pressure. This type of burn can take three to four weeks to heal. There is a risk that a deep second degree burn will leave thick or hypertrophic scars.

Third degree burns
The most serious classification is the third degree burn. This occurs when the burn has destroyed the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin and has spread to the subcutaneous tissue. These burns can be physically depressed, charred, and often leathery in appearance.

Ironically, a third degree burn may not be as physically painful as less severe types, due to the number of nerve endings that were destroyed. These burns are very severe and often require skin grafts or other reconstructive procedures.

Burns are also classified into two categories: partial thickness and full thickness. Partial thickness burns include first and second degree burns, while full thickness burns are usually third degree burns.

These descriptions only describe the general burning characteristics. However, you should not try to diagnose the severity of a burn on your own. Instead, get immediate medical attention, as this can be important in minimizing pain and promoting faster recovery. In cases of severe burns, immediate medical treatment can save lives.

Burn injuries are expensive to treat. A prolonged hospitalization for third-degree burns can easily exceed $100,000. Many burn injuries are due to negligence (someone else’s fault). If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury, speak with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney today.