About Burns
Understanding Deep Burns
Deep burns cause damage to the tissue beneath the epidermis and dermis, including nerves and blood vessels. Doctors classify deep burns as either partial thickness or full thickness burns.
Partial thickness burns are commonly called second-degree burns. Some doctors differentiate between a superficial partial thickness burn and a deep partial thickness burn. A partial thickness burn causes blistering and damage to the top layers of skin, and may result in scarring. Common causes of second-degree burns include exposure to open flame or scalding liquids.
Full thickness burns are commonly referred to as third-degree burns. This type of burn destroys all layers of skin and may also destroy tendons and muscles. Because the nerves that transmit pain signals are destroyed in full thickness burns, these types of burns are usually not painful. However, they can cause serious complications and scarring, and almost always require skin grafting and intensive rehabilitation.
The Risks of Deep Burns
Both kinds of deep burns can cause damage to blood vessels, which may lead to fluid loss. In severe cases, this can lead to depleted blood volume, shock, and dangerously low blood pressure. Severe burns also leave the patient vulnerable to infection, at the site of the burns and elsewhere in the body. People who suffer full thickness (third-degree) burns usually need skin grafts, like EPICEL (cultured epidermal autografts), to protect exposed areas and trigger new skin growth. Learn more about treatment techniques for deep burns.