Third Degree Burns
What is a third degree burn?
What is a third degree burn?
Causes for a third degree burn
A scalding liquid
When skin come in contact with a hot object for a very long time
Flames from a fire
An electrical source
- A chemical source
What is the difference between a first, second, and third degree burn?
First degree burn:
only extends on the top layer of the skin, doesn’t scar and heals in three to four days
Example: a mild sunburn is a first degree burn
Second degree burn:
- The burn extends on the top layer of the skin into the lower layer and may cause blisters and significant scarring
- Example: much deeper sunburn or any of the reasons above, but to a mild extent
Skin grafting is when skin is removed from one area of the body, and attached to another. Skin grafting is used for things other than burns, such as:
Where there has been major skin loss
Cosmetic reasons or reconstructive surgery
Skin cancer surgery
Previous skin grafts that haven’t healed
Very large wounds
- A wound that surgeons were not able to close properly
In my situation, the plastic surgeon took skin from my hip, and, gross enough, my butt. They chose those areas because the skin was soft and would be able to stretch across my hands for many years.
What con be done to help heal a burn?
Healing third degree burns:
May require hospitalization for many days or many weeks
Skin may require skin grafting or surgery by plastic surgeons for skin to heal properly
- when the burn is new, a temporary skin graft will cover the burn spot for a temporary amount of time. When the burn is ready for a permanent skin graft, plastic surgeons will put on the permanents skin graft