What type of burn affects only the epidermis?

A first-degree burn affects only the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. This type of burn typically results from minor burns, such as sunburns or contact with hot objects, leading to symptoms like redness, minor swelling, and pain without blistering.

The reason for this is that first-degree burns primarily damage the skin's surface and do not penetrate into the deeper layers, such as the dermis. The recovery time for first-degree burns is usually short, and they heal without scarring.

In contrast, second-degree burns involve both the epidermis and part of the dermis, leading to more severe symptoms like blisters and more intense pain, while third-degree burns damage all layers of the skin and may even affect underlying tissues, causing numbness due to nerve damage. Partial-thickness burns refer to burns that affect both the epidermis and the dermis but do not reach full thickness, further distinguishing them from first-degree burns.