Final answer:
First-degree (superficial) burns only affect the epidermis and do not cause blistering or require immediate surgery, often healing on their own, unlike more severe burns that affect multiple layers and may require medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Superficial burns, also known as first-degree burns, are injuries to the skin that only affect the outermost layer, the epidermis. These burns do not cause multiple layers of skin damage, nor do they typically lead to blistering. Instead, the skin may become painful and swell, resembling mild sunburn, and can usually heal on their own within a few days. In contrast, second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis, resulting in swelling and blistering, while third-degree burns involve the full thickness of the skin and require medical attention. Fourth-degree burns are even more severe, affecting not only all skin layers but also the underlying muscle and bone, often requiring surgical intervention such as debridement or grafting.