Severity of burns is expressed through degrees of burns. Obviously, not all burns are the same and some require basic first aid treatment, if even that, and some are life-threatening and require constant care of medicinal professionals with no certain outcome. There are several classification systems, but the one that is most easily understood uses severity of burns to determine the degree of burns. The worse the burn, the higher the degree.

So how many degrees are there?

It is likely that you will think 'there are four', and you would be wrong. There are six burn degrees. The catch is that the last three are rarely mentioned because the people who get fourth degree burns have a very slight chance of survival, while burns of the fifth and sixth degree are always fatal. So there is little reason to differentiate between „dead“ and „very dead“ and the classification is almost never used beyond the fourth degree. Now let us discuss the degrees, their symptoms and treatment options.First degree

First degree burns are recognizable by redness of skin and some pain in the burnt region. The burnt region can swell and is typically sensitive to touch. Most first degree burns come from contact with hot water or prolonged exposure to the sun. Most of these can be treated at home but few cases might require proper medical help.

Second degree

Second degree burns are more severe because they affect the deeper layer of the skin. They are recognizable by red blisters on the surface of the burnt skin and hurt significantly more. Most second degree burns are caused by short contact with flames and boiling liquids, or some chemicals chemicals. Destruction of the affected section of skin opens the door to possible infection so you should consult a doctor to see what treatment method to apply.

Third degree

These burns are most severe burns in the sub-lethal category, as prompt and proper treatment of these virtually ensures that there will be no loss of life. These burns destroy all three layers of the skin, and require hospitalization. Typical causes of third degree burns are coming in contact with aggressive chemicals, suffering an electric shock or fire breakout.

Fourth degree

These are the first burns that cause damage that reaches deeper than skin and affect the organs beneath the skin, such as muscles, ligaments and tendons. Most cases of these burns are caused by a fire break out or a severe electric shock. Fatality rate in victims of fourth degree burns are high. Individuals that survive will have to undergo skin grafting procedure as a part of treatment.Fifth degree

Damage from burns of this degree affects all soft tissues and all organs in the affected area and might even damage the bone to some extent. Chances of survival are virtually none, and very rare individuals that did survive had to have the affected region amputated.Sixth degree

If an individual is diagnosed with this degree of burn, then the person is dead and lying on the autopsy table. Damage from this type of burns is so extensive that even bones are badly damaged or even charred. Burns so severe are not survivable.