What characterizes a full thickness burn (third degree)?

A full thickness burn, also known as a third-degree burn, is characterized by the destruction of all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues. In this type of burn, the skin can appear white, leathery, or charred, and may be dry and insensate due to damage to the nerve endings. This severe injury affects the skin’s structural integrity and can compromise the body’s ability to regulate temperature and protect against infection.

The other options highlight different characteristics of other types of burns or misinterpret the extent of injury associated with third-degree burns. For example, red and painful skin is typically found in first-degree burns, where only the outer layer of skin is affected. The option concerning only the dermis being affected pertains to second-degree burns, which involve damage to the epidermis and part of the dermis but not the full thickness. Lastly, healing without medical intervention is not applicable to full thickness burns, as they usually require medical treatment, including possible skin grafting, to heal properly, given the extensive damage and high risk of infection.