I picked up a lovely fresh focaccia bread at the food store over the weekend and decided it would be even better served warm. So, I plunked it down on a pizza pan and stuck it in the oven for a few minutes to heat up. Brilliant, focused chef that I am, I reached out for the pan NOT with the hand that had the oven mitt, but with the one that didn’t. Instant burned fingers!
Burns can be caused by more than just heat (or stupidity). Electricity, friction, chemicals, and radiation can also cause burns. Traditionally, the severity of a burn was described in degrees: first, second, or third. Now, they are just as often described by thickness: superficial (only the topmost layers of skin), partial (the outer and middle layers of skin), and full (the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers of skin).
Superficial burns are painful and red, but do not blister. The skin remains moist, because the sweat glands have not been damaged. If the burned area is touched, the skin will turn white. Luckily, this is the type of burn I got.
Partial thickness burns can be painful and red and may blister. If the burned area is touched, the skin will turn white. If the burned area has hair, it usually survives the burn — if the second layer of skin is only slightly burned. If the second layer of skin is badly burned, nerve endings may be destroyed and you may not feel pain at all. The hair is usually burned away. Depending on the depth of the burn, the skin may be moist or dry. With a very deep partial thickness burn, the burned area may not turn white when touched.
A full thickness burn is the most severe kind of burn, also known as a third degree burn. The epidermis (outermost layer) and dermis (middle layer) are both burned. Nerve endings, blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands are all destroyed. This kind of burn will be painless, and the burned area will be numb. The skin may be shiny and white or charred and leathery.
Seek medical care if the pain is uncontrollable, or if you believe you have a full thickness burn. A partial thickness burn on the face, over major joints, or that is more than twice the size of your palm will require medical attention. You may need to call 911 or have someone else bring you to the hospital if you have trouble breathing or have extensive burns all over your body.