Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) Health Exam

What type of burn causes the skin to blister and is extremely painful?

1. First degree

2. Second degree

3. Third degree

4. Fourth degree

The correct answer is: Second degree

Second-degree burns are characterized by damaging both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and part of the underlying layer (dermis). This results in symptoms such as blisters, swelling, and severe pain. The presence of blisters is a key indicator distinguishing second-degree burns from first-degree burns, which affect only the epidermis and typically don’t produce blisters, just redness and pain. In contrast, third-degree burns penetrate through the dermis and into deeper tissues, resulting in damage that may eliminate pain sensation in the affected areas due to nerve destruction. Fourth-degree burns are even more severe, extending through skin and subcutaneous tissues, often affecting muscles and bones, and these are also typically painless in the burned areas due to nerve endings being destroyed. The characteristics associated with second-degree burns, particularly the formation of blisters and intense pain, clarify why this option is correct in identifying the type of burn that aligns with the symptoms described.