Health Department of Northwest Michigan. 3434 M-119, Suite A. Harbor Springs, MI 49740. Fax (secure) (231) 347-2861. Environmental Health - Permits. (231) 347-6014.
What are the classifications of burns? Burns are classified as first-, second-, or third-degree, depending on how deep and severely they penetrate the skin's surface. First-degree (superficial) burns First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example.
This categorization of burns is in relation to the layers of skin affected by the heating element. A first degree burn is a mild burn on the first layer of skin, or epidermis. A second degree burn has occurred once the first and second layers of the skin are damaged, and a third degree burn occurs beyond that.