Burn – 3rd Degree

Burns are generally characterized by degree of damage to the skin with 1st degree being the least severe and 4th degree being the most severe. Degrees refers to the depth through which damage from the burn occurred. A first degree burn is the most superficial, affecting only the uppermost layer of skin, while a fourth degree burn complete penetrates the skin and involves deeper tissues such as muscles, tendons, bones, or other internal organs.

3rd Degree Burn: occur when the epidermis is lost with damage to the subcutaneous tissue. Burn victims will exhibit charring and extreme damage of the epidermis, and sometimes hard eschar will be present. Third-degree burns result in scarring and victims will also exhibit the loss of hair shafts and keratin. These burns may require grafting.

In order to appropriately establish wound type and etiology, a thorough wound assessment should be completed as required by state and federal guidelines.

This thorough initial wound assessment or wound reassessment (as a component of a wound status change) is described AHS’ Assessment Guideline. It requires a detailed assessment of the whole patient and their history as well as other factors including duration of the wound, patient’s recollection of the causative factors, complaints of pain, fever, numbness or drainage.