3 Ways to Identify First-Degree Burns

1. Recognize Redness as a Possible Sign of a Burn

Burns are categorized as either first-, second- or third-degree, depending on the depth of the burn and the area of skin affected. First-degree burns are the least serious, since only the outer or top layer of skin is affected. The first symptom you can expect is for the skin to turn red. Skin in the affected area will also blanch (turn white) when pressed. A first-degree burn is typical of a mild sunburn or a brief exposure to a burst of heat. It takes a few hours for the skin to respond to the exposure and begin to turn red.

2. Anticipate Painful Skin

You can expect pain when the skin at the burn site is touched. Even though the burn is only on the outer layer of the skin, that layer is very sensitive. The amount of pain may be intensified, depending on the location. A site will be irritated by any contact, such as clothing or jewelry. The pain usually becomes apparent after the first few hours of exposure and slowly disappears as the burn heals. You can expect the pain to last for as long as 72 hours before it begins to subside. It may take several days to a week to completely heal.

3. Evaluate for Dry Skin

A first-degree burn does not blister. If there are blisters present, the burn is more serious. In addition, a first-degree burn is not moist. The epidermis (outer layer of skin) will become dry and peel after a few days. As the skin becomes dry, you may have some itching, but scratching the itch can add to the amount of pain. You may also experience some minor swelling of the affected areas, but it usually subsides quickly during the healing process.