What are the typical signs of full thickness burns?

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Full thickness burns, also known as third-degree burns, involve damage that extends through all layers of the skin, affecting both the epidermis and dermis, and potentially harming underlying tissues such as fat, muscles, or bones. The signs of full thickness burns include charred, white, leathery textures, primarily because they destroy the skin's ability to retain moisture, resulting in the tissue dying and effectively becoming non-functional.

Pain perception in full thickness burns can be diminished or absent entirely. This is due to the destruction of the nerve endings that normally would transmit pain sensations. The loss of blood flow to the area, along with coagulated proteins and melted fat, contributes to the leathery appearance. As such, the typical manifestation does not include pain, distinguishing it from partial thickness burns, which would be painful due to intact nerve endings.

In context, the other choices do not accurately represent full thickness burns: red, swollen, and blistering describe superficial to partial thickness burns, which still have some intact skin layers and nerve functionality; dry, flaky, and itchy are characteristics associated with healing or superficial skin conditions, not burn injuries. Thus, the distinct characteristics of charred, white, leathery, and usually painless make this option the appropriate description for

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