One of the majoe ways you'll be able to tell the difference is the manner in which the burns were received, in addition to visual examination of th burn. Third degree burns usually come in 2 different flavors. < ickk and double ick.> The first type typically from direct exposure to intense heat or exposure to actual flame. These burns will be black just like an overcooked shrimp on the barbie < sp?> Ok more like an over cooked piece of pork with the skin still on. There might be some moisture oozing from between the cracks in the charred flesh but typically it's been seared, just like a good steak, to seal in the juices. < anyone else detecting a theme here ?> Remeber 3rd degree burns affect not only the epidermis, the outer most layer of skin, but also the dermis, fat and underlying muscle tissues. They can even go as far as the bone itself, although how you would do that, and not be dead, other than getting your arm stuck in a kiln for 5 minutes I don't know.
The other type of third degree burn is an almost complete polar opposite. Such burns are typically received from steam,<mmmm steamed shrimp>. The second type of third degree burn is typified by a white-ish chalky dry appearence. Not red, no blisters, just a dry chalky appearence, sort of like frostbite, before necrosis has set in < I couldn't remember how to spell gangreen.> In almost all cases third degree burns will be surrounded by 1st and second degree burns, but as in all cases of first aid your treatment of the situation must
address the most serious of injuries first. therefore no running water, no submersion, no ice. A moist clean dressing such as
gauze or a
muslin bandage. under no circumstances wrap a
burn in cotton balls, flannel
etc. the fibers will adhere to the skin and create a greater risk for infection down the
line.
how to judge a third degree
burn in under 2 seconds ? Hmm well if the above descriptions don't work, and the person is concious, you could touch it and ask them if they feel it. 3rd degree burns destroy the nerves beneath the skin and are, in-fact, themselves, painless. The difficulty with this method however is that A. you are possible introducing bacteria into the wounded area by placing your dirty grubby paws on it. B. you could be further injuring the area by damaging the already damaged tissues. < try poking your finger into an over done steak and watch how the flesh breaks up> and C. As stated before 3rd degree burns are most often surrounded by a larger area of 1st and 2nd degree burns so manipulating the 3rd degree burn area is going to transfer skin motion to the surrounding areas thus causing further pain to those areas, which the subject will undoubtedly not be able to distinguish from pain comming directly from the 3rd degree burned area. < whew !>
In summation; Unless you're ablsolutely sure treat any burn as one step up in the scale. Read that link I provided earlier. If clothing or covering if still smoldering around the sight of a burn by all means extinguish it remove as much as neccessary but no more. As with all first aid your first mission is to remove immediate threat ie take the person from the burning car before removing the splinter in thier finger. But do not under any circumstances move a person if it is not absolutely necessary leave that up to proffessionals.
Hope that helps.
Note to everyone. Don't take everything I say on this subject for Gospel. Go out and learn it for yourself. Getting basic first aid certification is easy, and fun. going further with it is optional. I spent five years in Search and Rescue, it was challenging rewarding, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching. Ultimately I decided I just didn't have the stomach for being an
EMT, but I'm glad I got the training. I haven't had to use it that often < thank God> but when I have needed to it was invaluable.