The most frequent causes of burns are an open flame, hot surfaces, and boiling liquid. The majority of these burns are superficial and classified as first-degree burns, despite the fact that they can be quite painful. They typically heal without medical intervention and do not leave scars.

Burns of the second degree (or partial thickness) affect the lower skin layers. The symptoms are more severe than those of a first-degree burn and may include blistering and a mottled appearance to the skin. Even though they are extremely painful, second-degree burns heal well with minimal scarring if the patient receives proper care.

Burns of the third degree (or full thickness) involve all skin layers. The skin has the appearance of being cooked, appearing charred or white. Interestingly, third-degree burns may not initially cause pain due to the destruction of nerve tissue. Patients with this type of burn may require skin grafts, and the burns leave dense scars as they heal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.1 million people annually require medical treatment for burns. Approximately 50,000 people are hospitalized due to burns, and 20,000 have severe burns that affect more than a quarter of their body surface area. About 4,500 people per year are killed by burns.