TABLE 26-1: CLASSIFICATION OF BURN DEPTH
CHARACTERISTIC
SUPERFICIAL
SUPERFICIAL
PARTIALTHICKNESS
Color
Pink to red
Pink to red
Edema
Mild
Pain
DEEP PARTIALTHICKNESS
Red to white
FULL-THICKNESS
DEEP FULLTHICKNESS
Black, brown,
yellow, white, red
Black
Mild to moderate Moderate
Severe
Absent
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes and no
Absent
Blisters
No
Yes
Rare
No
No
Eschar
No
No
Yes, soft and dry
Yes, hard and
inelastic
Yes, hard and
inelastic
Healing time
3-6 days
About 2 wk
2-6 wk
Weeks to months
Weeks to months
Grafts required
No
No
Can be used if
Yes
healing is prolonged
Example
Sunburn, flash Scalds, flames,
Scalds; flames;
burns
brief contact with prolonged contact
hot objects
with hot objects,
tar, grease,
chemicals
Scalds; flames;
prolonged contact
with hot objects,
tar, grease,
chemicals,
electricity
Yes
Flames, electricity,
grease, tar, chemicals