A burn that involves the epidermis and part of the dermis is classified as?

A burn that involves the epidermis and part of the dermis is classified as a second-degree burn. This type of burn is characterized by its impact on both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and a portion of the underlying layer (dermis).

Second-degree burns typically result in symptoms that include redness, swelling, and blisters, often causing significant pain due to irritation of nerve endings in the dermis. These burns can affect the function of the skin by impairing its barrier capability, which is essential for protecting the body from infection and maintaining fluid balance.

In contrast, first-degree burns only impact the epidermis and usually heal without scarring, while third-degree burns extend through the dermis into deeper tissues and may not be painful due to nerve destruction. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, affecting muscles and bones. Therefore, the classification of second-degree accurately reflects the combination of layers affected in this type of burn.