Third-degree burns

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Third-degree burns

Third-degree burns, also called full-thickness burns, injure all the layers of the skin as well as the fatty tissue beneath them. These are serious burns that can affect the skin's ability to grow back.

A third-degree burn can cause severe pain. However, if nerve endings are damaged, the burn may not hurt right away. Third-degree burns may look white, cherry red, or black, and they do not change color when you press on them (they do not blanch). Although blisters may develop, the burn is mostly dry, hard, and leathery-looking.

Common causes of third-degree burns are steam, hot oil, grease, chemicals, electrical currents, and hot liquids.

Infection is a major concern with third-degree burns. These burns always require care from a doctor. With small burns, new skin sometimes grows in from unburned areas. Large burns may require skin grafts and surgery.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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