Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, are severe injuries that destroy all layers of the skin and may extend into underlying tissues. The key symptoms and characteristics include:
- Appearance of the burn area : The skin may look white, black, brown, yellow, gray, or charred. The texture is often dry, leathery, waxy, or hard
- Lack of pain : Unlike first- or second-degree burns, third-degree burns often cause little or no pain because the nerve endings in the skin are destroyed
- No blanching : Pressing on the affected skin does not cause it to turn white temporarily (no blanching), which is typical in less severe burns
- Swelling : The area may be swollen
- Possible visible fat tissue : In severe cases, yellow fat tissue beneath the skin may be visible
- Blisters : Although blisters may develop, the burn area is mostly dry and hard
Third-degree burns can result from prolonged contact with flames, hot objects, chemicals, electricity, scalding liquids, or explosive blasts. They require immediate medical attention due to the risk of infection, fluid loss, and complications
. In summary, the symptoms of a third-degree burn are dry, leathery skin with discoloration (white, black, brown, yellow), swelling, lack of pain due to nerve damage, and no blanching on pressure
. These burns always need urgent professional medical care.
