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Second-Degree Burn With Swelling
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Blisters are the most common sign of a second-degree burn. Most symptoms of a second-degree burn are similar to first-degree burns. However, second-degree burns will also have:
- Blisters
- Severe pain
- Sloughing, or when the top layer of skin falls away
- Swelling
- Weeping fluid, or fluid that oozes out
A second-degree burn is considered severe when it can potentially cause a loss of function in the the part of the body burned. When emergency healthcare providers determine the severity of a burn, they look to determine the extent of the body burned.
Second-degree burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, or major joints are considered severe and require immediate attention.
A swollen, second-degree burn that goes all the way around an arm or leg can also put pressure on nerve cells and restrict blood flow to other parts of the body that aren’t even involved in the burned area. This is known as compartment syndrome.
In the worst-case scenario, compartment syndrome can cause tissue to die and give off toxins that increase the overall damage. If left untreated, this can lead to amputation, or worse, fatality.
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