| Thickness
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Deepest Skin Structure Involved
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Pain & Sensation
|
Appearance
|
Expected Course
|
Image
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| Superficial (first-degree)
|
|
|
- Dry, erythema (no blisters)
- Blanching (intact cap refill)
|
- Heals without scarring, 5-10 days
|
|
| Superficial Partial (second-degree)
|
- Superficial dermis (papillary region)
|
|
- Wet, pale pink, blisters
- Blanching (intact cap refill)
|
- Heals without scarring, <3 weeks
|
|
| Deep Partial (second-degree)
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- Deep dermis (reticular region)
|
|
- Pale white-yellow, blisters
- Does not blanch (absent cap refill)
|
- Heals in 3-8 weeks
- Likely to scar if healing >3 weeks
- May require skin-graft if does not heal within 3 weeks
|
|
| Full (third-degree)
|
- Hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue)
|
|
- White, leathery
- Does not blanch (absent cap refill)
|
- Heals by contracture, >8 weeks
- Almost always requires skin grafting
|
|
| Fourth-degree
|
- Underlying fat, muscle and bone
|
|
- Black; charred with eschar
- Does not blanch (absent cap refill)
|
- Does not heal
- Frequently requires amputation
|
|