Which type of burn is marked by pain, blistering, and superficial destruction of the dermis?

The type of burn characterized by pain, blistering, and superficial destruction of the dermis is indeed a second-degree burn. In this type of burn, the injury extends beyond the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) into the underlying layer (the dermis), leading to symptoms such as significant pain due to nerve endings being involved, as well as the formation of blisters filled with fluid. This blistering indicates damage that affects the integrity of the skin and can make healing more complex than with first-degree burns, which only involve the epidermis and typically present with redness and minor pain but no blisters.

Second-degree burns can vary in severity, with some injuries being deeper than others, but they are always associated with the described symptoms. Third-degree burns, on the other hand, extend through the dermis and into deeper tissues, often resulting in a lack of pain in the burn area due to nerve damage. Fourth-degree burns are even more severe, affecting all layers of the skin and underlying tissues, often leading to charring and requiring extensive medical intervention. Hence, the characteristics of pain, blistering, and superficial dermal destruction make second-degree burns distinctly identifiable.