A first-degree burn involves which skin layer?

A first-degree burn involves which skin layer?

• A. Thermal damage to the first layer of skin only (epidermis)
• B. Dermal layer with blistering
• C. All three layers damaged
• D. No skin damage; only redness

Answer: (A)

Damage limited to the epidermis—the outermost skin layer—defines a first-degree burn. This superficial injury produces pain, redness, and warmth, and may have mild swelling, but there is no blistering and no damage to the deeper dermal layers. That’s why describing it as only the epidermis involved is the correct interpretation. The other descriptions imply deeper injury: blistering suggests the dermis is affected (second-degree), damage through all skin layers means a third-degree burn, and saying there’s no skin damage with only redness contradicts the redness signaling epidermal involvement. For initial care, cool running water and gentle protection of the area are appropriate.

Damage limited to the epidermis—the outermost skin layer—defines a first-degree burn. This superficial injury produces pain, redness, and warmth, and may have mild swelling, but there is no blistering and no damage to the deeper dermal layers. That’s why describing it as only the epidermis involved is the correct interpretation. The other descriptions imply deeper injury: blistering suggests the dermis is affected (second-degree), damage through all skin layers means a third-degree burn, and saying there’s no skin damage with only redness contradicts the redness signaling epidermal involvement. For initial care, cool running water and gentle protection of the area are appropriate.