What type of burn affects all three layers of the skin?

A third-degree burn affects all three layers of the skin: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and hypodermis (subcutaneous layer). This type of burn results in complete destruction of the skin layers, leading to significant damage to the underlying tissue. Characteristics of a third-degree burn include a white, leathery, or charred appearance, and these burns may not be painful initially due to the destruction of nerve endings. Healing for third-degree burns often requires medical intervention, including potential skin grafts, since the body's natural healing process is severely compromised.

In contrast, first-degree burns only involve the epidermis and typically present with redness and minor pain, while second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis, resulting in blisters and more intense pain. Partial thickness burns refer to burns that only affect the epidermis and part of the dermis but do not reach the full depth of the skin layers, further differentiating them from third-degree burns.