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Signs & Symptoms of Second-Degree Burns

To properly treat a burn, it's essential to know the seriousness and degree of the burn. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center defines second-degree burns as those which "affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering." Burns can be caused by fire, hot liquids, radiation, sun, friction, electricity or chemicals, but the symptoms are mostly determined by the degree of the burn rather than the cause.

  1. Pain

    • Pain is physical suffering or discomfort that is produced by the nervous system. Not all burns---particularly chemical and electrical---will be visible, but an immediate searing pain is common with second-degree burns. Pain from second-degree burns is described as acute, meaning that it is a temporary response to inflammation and tissue damage; the pain is immediately followed by an emotional response of anxiety or distress. Acute pain serves as an alert or warning for the affected person to seek treatment. If not treated immediately, this pain can last for more than 48 hours.

    Redness

    • Erythema is a bright red area on the skin, caused by inflammation, infection, or sunburn. Redness is indicative of a few types of burns, such as those from fire, sun, hot liquids, friction and some chemicals. The effect sometimes takes 6 to 48 hours to develop and is typically paired with a warm, tender feeling to the epidermis. Over time, the redness may develop into a blanching (or whitening) of the skin that occurs in the location of the burn.

    Swelling

    • Swelling is an enlargement of an area or part of the body. Swelling due to a second-degree burn is caused by the buildup of fluid in the dermis tissue, deeper than that which happens during the formation of a blister. Swelling due to a burn is localized, only occurring in the specific area of the burn.

    Blistering

    • Blistering will form within a half hour after the burn occurred. Often, second-degree burns cause small (1 to 10 millimeter) fluid-filled blisters on the surface of the skin. Blisters will sometimes burst, leaving a wet area, surrounded by red (bright pink or cherry-colored) skin. Once dry, the blister will become a patch of peeling skin.

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