What is a sign of second-degree thermal injuries?

What is a sign of second-degree thermal injuries?

• A. Charring of tissues
• B. Blisters on the skin
• C. Complete loss of skin
• D. Red and swollen skin

Answer: (B)

Second-degree thermal injuries, also known as partial-thickness burns, are characterized by damage that extends through the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and into the underlying layer (dermis). One of the hallmark signs of this type of burn is the formation of blisters on the skin. Blisters occur due to the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the skin as a response to the injury. This fluid-filled pocket occurs as the body tries to protect and heal the damaged tissue underneath. The presence of blisters is an important clinical sign and helps in determining the severity of the burn, which can guide treatment decisions. In contrast, charring of tissues denotes more severe burn injuries, typically found in third-degree burns, where there is complete destruction of the skin layers. A complete loss of skin aligns with full-thickness burns as well. Red and swollen skin is common across various degrees of burns, including first-degree burns, where the injury is limited to the epidermis. Therefore, the presence of blisters is a specific and defining feature of second-degree burns.

Second-degree thermal injuries, also known as partial-thickness burns, are characterized by damage that extends through the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and into the underlying layer (dermis). One of the hallmark signs of this type of burn is the formation of blisters on the skin.

Blisters occur due to the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the skin as a response to the injury. This fluid-filled pocket occurs as the body tries to protect and heal the damaged tissue underneath. The presence of blisters is an important clinical sign and helps in determining the severity of the burn, which can guide treatment decisions.

In contrast, charring of tissues denotes more severe burn injuries, typically found in third-degree burns, where there is complete destruction of the skin layers. A complete loss of skin aligns with full-thickness burns as well. Red and swollen skin is common across various degrees of burns, including first-degree burns, where the injury is limited to the epidermis. Therefore, the presence of blisters is a specific and defining feature of second-degree burns.