Burns that effect human skin are classified by the severity of the injury. There are six degrees in which burns are classified; the more severe and deeper the injury is, the higher the degree of classification.

The first-degree burn is the most subtle and has the lowest impact on the body. A first-degree burned area will be red, and sore to the touch, but no blisters will have formed.

In the second-degree burn, the skin will look red, filled with clear fluid, and have blisters which may be intact or broken. The amount of pain involved depends on the level of nerve involvement.

In third-degree burns, most of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is lost, and will appear to be charred. Because nerve endings have been destroyed in the burned areas, these types of burns can sometimes be painless. If the burn is over a large surface area, it can often be fatal.

Fourth-degree burns destroy most of the skin and begin to burn the muscle underneath. These burns usually cause irreversible damage and the effected area will have very little sensation. Hospitalization is required in this type of burn as well as the fifth and sixth degrees.

Fifth-degree burns are very severe and will expose the underlying muscle. These burns can also be fatal.

In the sixth-degree burn, almost all of the muscle tissue is burned away leaving almost nothing but charred bone. These burns are usually deadly and are the highest in the burn category.

Irritation to the Respiratory System

After burns, smoke damage is the next risk one should look out for. Material such as wood, household garbage, plastic, and leaves produce smoke and release toxic gases when burned. Vapors and solid compounds from the smoke will be suspended in the air and you may experience eye and nose irritation along with breathing difficulty, coughing, and headaches. Anyone with heart disease, emphysema, asthma, or other respiratory diseases should be very cautious not to inhale this smoke if possible.