Which burn is described as waxy, leathery and lifeless, with death of all skin layers?

Which burn is described as waxy, leathery and lifeless, with death of all skin layers?

• A. Full thickness (3rd)
• B. 4th degree
• C. Superficial partial thickness (2nd)
• D. Superficial (1st)

Answer: (A)

Destruction of the entire thickness of the skin defines a full-thickness burn. The waxy, leathery, lifeless appearance with a dry eschar indicates that both the epidermis and full dermis are dead. Nerve endings are destroyed, so the area is often painless. This differs from superficial or superficial partial-thickness burns, which are red, painful, may blister, and involve only the epidermis or superficial dermal layers. Deep partial-thickness burns involve most of the dermis and are usually very painful due to remaining nerves. Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin to underlying structures like muscle or bone; the given description specifically matches complete skin-layer destruction, i.e., a full-thickness burn.

Destruction of the entire thickness of the skin defines a full-thickness burn. The waxy, leathery, lifeless appearance with a dry eschar indicates that both the epidermis and full dermis are dead. Nerve endings are destroyed, so the area is often painless. This differs from superficial or superficial partial-thickness burns, which are red, painful, may blister, and involve only the epidermis or superficial dermal layers. Deep partial-thickness burns involve most of the dermis and are usually very painful due to remaining nerves. Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin to underlying structures like muscle or bone; the given description specifically matches complete skin-layer destruction, i.e., a full-thickness burn.