What is often a sign of a third-degree burn?

A third-degree burn, also known as a full-thickness burn, typically involves damage to all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and deeper tissues. This type of burn can appear charred or have a dry, white, leathery texture. The presence of charred or dry white skin indicates that the skin has lost its normal structure and functionality, which is characteristic of a third-degree burn.

In third-degree burns, nerve endings may be destroyed, which can result in a lack of sensation in the area, making the injury less painful than first-degree or second-degree burns, which typically have red, swollen skin or blisters. While blisters and red or swollen skin are signs of less severe burns, the specific appearance of charred or dry skin is distinctly indicative of a third-degree burn and helps to differentiate it from other burn types.