There are three degrees of burns, third degree burns are the most severe. Third degree burns damage all layers of the skin and requires immediate hospital treatment. Large third-degree burns may require skin grafting or surgery, although sometimes they are less painful than the first and second degree burns because the nerves and tissues of the skin is damaged.
Hot water / steam burns
Hot water burns are the most common type of burns, with children and older adults most at risk. Hot water burns can be caused by spilled coffee or hot shower or bath water. Steam burns close often happen in industrial settings or in the kitchen when the skin comes in boiling water.
Hot oil / grease burns
Hot oil and grease burns are more dangerous than hot water scalding because oil is heated to a higher temperature than water. Oil is thicker than water, so it can potentially remain on the skin for a longer period, causing more damage. Most heating oil and grease burns happen in the home, when people cooking or carrying hot oil and the splashes or spills.
Chemical burns
Chemical burns occur when skin comes into contact with household or industrial chemicals in solid, liquid or gas form. This occurs most often when a household cleaner or other chemical substance is accidentally spilled or splashed. Ammonia is one of the most common chemicals found in the home that can cause a chemical burn.
Electrical burns
Electrical burns occur when skin comes into contact with high voltage electricity. The severity of electrical burns may not be obvious, the same as discoloration and damage to the skin is not always apparent until hours or even days after the exposure occurred. Examples of an electrical burn household electrical shock and is struck by lightning.
