FIGURE 104.3 Examples of burns of various depths A: Superficial: Involves only the epidermis B: Superficial partial thickness: Partially injured dermis, with blistering Note the pink-red color and moist appearance C: Deep partial thickness: Injury involves all of the epidermis and most of the dermis Note the paler, drier appearance than superficial injuries D: Full thickness: Involves destruction of the entire epidermis and dermis Note the area of pallor and charred color These areas may also have a leathery appearance (Reprinted with permission from Cohen BJ, Memmler RL, Hull KL Memmlers the Human Body in Health and Disease 13th ed Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.) Emergency Department Management Specific management of major and minor burns is reviewed in the sections below The final section also addresses management of burns with specific etiologies including inflicted, chemical, and electrical burns Preventing Infection Heat causes coagulation necrosis of tissue, producing a protein-rich medium that nourishes bacterial growth Burns become