Which best describes a first-degree burn?

Which best describes a first-degree burn?

• A. It affects only the outer skin and is red and painful
• B. It involves deep tissue and blisters
• C. It causes numbness
• D. It produces white, leathery skin

Answer: (A)

A first-degree burn affects only the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis). It causes redness and pain, but does not involve deeper tissues or form blisters. It typically heals within a few days without scarring. That’s why describing the burn as affecting only the outer skin and being red and painful fits best. In contrast, a burn that goes deeper into tissue and forms blisters is a deeper burn (second-degree); numbness can indicate nerve involvement or a more serious burn; white, leathery skin points to a full-thickness (third-degree) burn. For care, cool running water over the area for 10–15 minutes, avoid ice, cover with a clean nonstick dressing, and use analgesics as needed. Seek medical help if the area is large, on the face, hands, feet, joints, genitals, or if the person is very young or elderly or shows signs of infection.

A first-degree burn affects only the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis). It causes redness and pain, but does not involve deeper tissues or form blisters. It typically heals within a few days without scarring. That’s why describing the burn as affecting only the outer skin and being red and painful fits best.

In contrast, a burn that goes deeper into tissue and forms blisters is a deeper burn (second-degree); numbness can indicate nerve involvement or a more serious burn; white, leathery skin points to a full-thickness (third-degree) burn. For care, cool running water over the area for 10–15 minutes, avoid ice, cover with a clean nonstick dressing, and use analgesics as needed. Seek medical help if the area is large, on the face, hands, feet, joints, genitals, or if the person is very young or elderly or shows signs of infection.