Health Department of Northwest Michigan. 3434 M-119, Suite A. Harbor Springs, MI 49740. Fax (secure) (231) 347-2861. Environmental Health - Permits. (231) 347-6014.
What are the classifications of burns? Burns are classified as first-, second-, or third-degree, depending on how deep and severely they penetrate the skin's surface. First-degree (superficial) burns First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example.
Burns are injuries to tissues that are caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals. Burns are characterized by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree burn causes redness and swelling in the outermost layers of skin (epidermis). A second-degree burn involves redness, swelling and blistering, and the damage may extend beneath the epidermis to deeper layers of skin (dermis). A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, destroys the entire depth of skin, causing significant scarring.