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Burns have classifications that are given depending on their depth. A first degree burn is superficial meaning that's affects only the epidermis causing local inflammation of the skin. Sunburns are a good example of a 1st degree burn. Skin inflammation is also combined with pain, redness and mild swelling with feasible tenderness of the skin. Second degree burns are the second deepest, reaching into the dermal level. Additionally to the pain, redness and inflammation, there is also blistering that occurs. Third degree burns are the deepest and involve all 3 layers of the skin, in effect killing the affected area. Third degree burns affect deep and higher blood vessels and nerves causing a white color along with a relatively painless injury. It's also crucial to be conscious that burns can mature. The initial injury can continue to progress for a period of time affecting far more layers of skin and causing it to become a higher degree burn. An example of this is a sunburn that blisters the following day. Inflammation, fluid accumulation and infection is always a risk, regardless of the degree of the burn. Burns can cause deeper damage, injury and scarring as only the epidermis has the capability to regenerate itself.
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