What describes a third degree burn?

A third-degree burn is accurately described as a severe burn that extends through all layers of the skin, reaching the underlying tissues, and in some cases, it may extend to the bone. This type of burn typically results in significant damage, which can cause the skin to appear white, charred, or leathery, and it often involves nerve endings, leading to potential numbness in the affected area. Because of the extensive damage, third-degree burns usually do not heal quickly and often require medical intervention, such as skin grafting or other treatments, to promote healing.

The other options describe different degrees of burns. For example, burns that heal quickly generally refer to first-degree burns, which affect only the outer layer and usually result in redness and minor swelling. Redness and swelling are characteristic of second-degree burns that affect deeper layers and can produce blisters. Lastly, burns that only affect the outer layer of skin typically describe first-degree burns as well, which are considered the least severe.