Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) Health Exam

What type of burn is characterized by dry and leathery skin, possibly waxy white, with destroyed nerve endings?

1. First degree

2. Second degree

3. Third degree

4. Fourth degree

The correct answer is: Third degree

The type of burn characterized by dry and leathery skin, which may appear waxy white, and the destruction of nerve endings is classified as a third-degree burn. This type of burn extends through all layers of the skin, affecting not only the epidermis and dermis but also damaging underlying tissues. In the case of a third-degree burn, the skin may exhibit various appearances, including dry, leathery texture, and a range of colors from white to charred. The lack of sensation in the burned area is due to the destruction of nerves, which means the person might not feel pain in the affected regions, although surrounding areas with lesser degrees of burns may still be painful. Understanding burn classifications is essential in the medical field, especially in determining the severity of the injury and the appropriate treatment method. First-degree burns typically affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and minor pain but not the destruction associated with third-degree burns. Second-degree burns involve deeper layers of skin and cause blisters and significant pain but do not reach into the full thickness of the skin where nerve endings are destroyed. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, affecting muscles, tendons, and bone, but the specific description of dry and leathery skin corresponds directly to third