There are various degrees of burn injuries, all of which will impact your daily life either short or longer term. The depth and severity of the burn on the skin will define its degree, which can be used to classify the injury. First-degree (superficial) burns – long-term tissue damage is rare with first-degree burns as the burn only affects the outer layer of skin. Sunburns will usually fall into this category. Second-degree (partial thickness) burns – this classification of burn involves the epidermis (top layer of skin) and part of the lower layer of skin, the dermis. This type of burns are characterised by red skin and blisters, commonly accompanied by swelling and varying degrees of pain and may require a skin graft. Third-degree (full thickness) burns – these burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and may also go into the innermost layer of skin, the subcutaneous tissue. The burn site may look white or blackened and charred and can destroy nerves causing numbness and permanent scarring. Fourth-degree burns – the most severe burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly involving muscle and bone and the nerve damage will cause a loss of feeling in the area.