Burn treatment and prevention Burn treatment and prevention Burns are one of the most common household injuries, so knowing how to treat burns and when to call for medical assistance is important. First-degree burns remain on the surface of the skin and tend to appear red.
Sunburns are usually first-degree burns.
Although first-degree burns can cause great pain, they seldom result in lasting problems or require medical attention. Second-degree burns probe deeper into the skin and result in blistering or splitting of the skin s layers. Very severe sunburns and scalding are common instances of second-degree burns. Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin and extend into deeper tissues. These burns are actually painless because the nerve endings have been destroyed.