| Depth | Cause | Appearance | Sensation | Healing time |
| Superficial (epidermal) | Ultraviolet exposure (eg, sunburn) Very short flash | Dry, red Blanches with pressure | Painful | 3 to 6 days |
| Superficial partial-thickness | Scald (spill or splash) Short flash | Blisters Moist, red, weeping Blanches with pressure | Painful to temperature and air | 7 to 20 days |
| Deep partial-thickness | Scald (spill) Flame Oil Grease | Blisters (easily unroofed) Wet or waxy dry Variable color (patchy to cheesy white to red) Does not blanch with pressure | Painful, perceptive of pressure | >21 days |
| Full-thickness | Scald (immersion) Flame Steam Oil Grease Chemical Electrical | Waxy white to leathery gray to charred and black Dry and inelastic No blanching with pressure | Deep pressure only | Never (if >2% total body surface area) |
