Editing Burns (section)

=== '''Burn depth''' ===

* Depth of injury is best assessed by experienced practitioners, although imaging may help in the future
* If unsure whether superficial or deep partial-thickness, assume deep
*

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Depth'''
|'''Appearance'''
|'''Sensation'''
|'''Healing time'''
|-
|Superficial (epidermal)
|Dry, red

Blanches with pressure
|Painful
|3 to 6 days

Won't scar. Topical salves and NSAIDs.
|-
|Superficial partial-thickness (epidermis and papillary dermis)
|Blisters (within 24 hours)

Moist, red, weeping

Blanches with pressure

Retention of hairs to gentle pulling.
|Painful to temperature and air
|Spontaneously re-epithelialize in 7 to 21 days. May have some slight discolouration and textural differences. 
|-
|Deep partial-thickness (epidermis and reticular dermis)
|Blisters (easily unroofed)

Wet or waxy dry

Variable color (patchy to cheesy white to red)

Does not blanch with pressure
|Perceptive of pressure only. Painful to pin-prick.
|Re-epithelialize in 15-21 days from deep hair follicles and sweat gland keratinocytes, often with severe scarring.
|-
|Full-thickness (into subcutaneous fat)
|Waxy white to leathery gray to charred and black

Dry and inelastic

No blanching with pressure
|Deep pressure only
|Rare, unless surgically treated. No keratinocytes remain - so must heal by re-epithelialization from wound edges. Benefit from excision of eschar and autologous grafting to minimise contractures.
|-
|Deeper injury (ie, fourth degree) 
|Extends into fascia and/or muscle
|Deep pressure
|Never, unless surgically treated
|}