Burns Assessment
Different Burn Depth Characteristics
| Superficial Epidermal | Superficial Dermal (partial) | Mid Dermal (partial) | Deep Dermal Thickness(partial) | Full thickness | |
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| Pathology | Involves epidermis only | Involves epidermis and upper dermis, most adnexal structures intact | Involves epidermis and part of the dermis. Superficial adnexal structures will be affected | Involves epidermis and significant part of dermis, only deeper adnexal structures intact | Epidermis, dermis and cell adnexal structures destroyed |
| Appearance | Dry and red, blanches to pressure. No blisters. |
Pale pink. Fine blisters. Blanches to pressure. | Dark pink. Large blisters. Capillary refill sluggish. | Blotchy red. May blister. No capillary refill. |
White waxy charred. No blisters. No capillary refill. |
| Sensation | Maybe painful | Usually extremely painful | Maybe painful | Decreased sensation | No sensation |
| Circulation | Normal, increased | Hyperaemic | Delayed capillary refill | Sluggish | Nil |
| Colour | Red, warm | Pink | Pink/Red | White/ Pale pink/ Blotchy red |
White/Charred/ Black |
| Blisters | None or (days) later or desquamation | Yes (within hours of injury) | Maybe some | Early—usually large which rupture within hours | Epidermis & dermis destroyed, no blistering |
| Healing Time | Within seven days | Within 14 days | 14 – 21 days | Over 21 days | Does not heal spontaneously |
| Scarring | No scar | Colour match defect Low risk of hypertrophic scar | Moderate risk of hypertrophic scarring | 81% chance hypertrophic scarring | Will scar |