Second Degree Burns

A burn is an injury to the tissues of the body. Burns are classified according to the amount of tissue they affect and how deep they are. A second-degree burn injures the top layers of skin, called the epidermis, and extends down to the deeper layers of skin, called the dermis. Most second-degree burns are caused by contact with flames, hot liquids, or chemicals, or by severe sunburns. In combat vehicles, a direct hit that causes a fast or slow-growth fire, if not suppressed in time, may cause severe burns to the vehicle crew.