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How are burns classified?

If more than 10 percent of body surface is affected in second- and third-degree burns, large quantities of fluid (and its protein) are lost. As a result, the victim may go into shock. The burn victim is also more prone to infection, because when skin is burned it cannot protect the body from airborne bacteria.

Type	Causes and Effects
First-degree	Sunburn; steam. Reddening and peeling. Affects epidermis (top layer of skin). Heals within a week.
Second-degree	Scalding; holding hot metal. Deeper burns causing blisters. Affects dermis (deep skin layer). Heals in two to three weeks.

Third-degree

Fire. A full layer of skin is destroyed. Requires a doctor's...

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