Quick Answer
A third-degree burn requires medical attention if the skin is charred black, white, or leathery, and there is little to no pain due to nerve damage, or if the burn is large, extends to multiple body areas, or covers sensitive areas like the face, hands, or feet.
Identifying Third-Degree Burns
To identify third-degree burns, look for a change in skin color, which may be white, yellow, brown, or charred black. In some cases, the skin may appear leathery or waxy. Additionally, third-degree burns often lack the typical signs of burn injury, such as redness and swelling, due to the extensive damage to skin tissue and underlying nerve endings. Check for numbness or a lack of pain in the affected area, as nerve damage can occur in third-degree burns.
Assessing Burn Size and Location
Third-degree burns are considered severe and require immediate medical attention if they cover a significant portion of the body, such as a forearm or the entire back. Burns to sensitive areas like the face, hands, and feet are also considered severe and require medical attention, even if they appear small. To assess burn size, use the “rule of nines” as a guide: the head and neck comprise 9% of the body, each arm is 9%, each leg is 18%, and the front and back of the torso each comprise 18%.
Emergency Procedures
If you suspect someone has a third-degree burn, treat the area as an emergency and call 911 or your local emergency number. Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burned area, but do not attempt to remove anything that is stuck to the burn. Run cool tap water over the burn for 10-15 minutes to help reduce the temperature of the skin and ease pain. Do not apply ice or ice water, as this can cause further damage. Elevate the burned area above heart level to reduce swelling.
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