What degree of burn is characterized by damage to the entire epidermis and dermis?

The degree of burn that is characterized by damage to the entire epidermis and dermis is referred to as a third-degree burn. This type of burn destroys both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) as well as the underlying layer (dermis), resulting in a loss of all skin structures in the affected area. Because of the extent of tissue damage, third-degree burns can appear white, charred, or leathery and may often be painless at first due to the destruction of nerve endings.

In addition to involving complete loss of the epidermis and dermis, third-degree burns typically require medical intervention, and healing may involve skin grafts or significant rehabilitation. The severity of these burns can lead to complications such as infection, fluid loss, and thermal regulation issues, emphasizing the critical need for proper medical treatment.

While other types of burns, such as first-degree and second-degree burns, involve partial thickness damage and may affect only the upper layers of the skin, they do not penetrate through both the epidermis and dermis as third-degree burns do. Fourth-degree burns extend even deeper, potentially affecting muscles, tendons, and bones, but the question specifically highlights burns that damage the epidermis and dermis, which aligns with a third