Question

Which type of burn usually requires skin grafting? Why?

1) Second-degree burns because the tissue damage is so great that the tissue cannot repair itself.
2) Third-degree burns because the tissue damage is so great that the tissue cannot repair itself.
3) First-degree burns because the epidermis is damaged.
4) First-degree burns because the tissue damage is so great that the tissue cannot repair itself.
5) Third-degree burns because the epidermis is damaged.

Answer 1

Third-degree burns require skin grafts because the damage is so severe it extends through the epidermis and dermis, destroying tissue and nerve endings, which prevents natural healing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Third-degree burns usually require skin grafting due to the extensive damage they cause. Unlike first-degree burns, which affect only the epidermis and typically heal on their own, or second-degree burns, which affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis, third-degree burns extend through both the epidermis and dermis, completely destroying the tissue. These burns can leave the skin white, red, or black, and because they damage nerve endings, they can surprisingly be less painful.

However, the lack of pain does not diminish their severity. Due to the destruction of both the layers necessary for skin regeneration and the local tissues used for repair, the body cannot naturally heal third-degree burns. Healing processes like fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and immune system response are insufficient to repair the skin, thus skin grafting is often necessary. In skin grafting, skin from an unaffected part of the body or from tissue culture is used to cover the damaged area once it has been properly cleaned and debrided.