Final answer:
A third-degree burn results in a skin appearance that can be white, red, or black, and looks leathery or charred, with damage to nerve endings making it surprisingly less painful initially.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic appearance of the skin following a third-degree burn is serious and distinctive. This severity of burn completely destroys both the epidermis and the dermis, leading to a skin appearance that can be white, red, or black. The damage extends deep enough to affect nerve endings and sensory functions, often resulting in the skin looking leathery or charred. Interestingly, despite the severity, these burns can be less painful initially since the nerve endings are damaged. Medical attention is crucial for healing, as the body cannot repair the full-thickness burns itself, and treatment may include excision (debridement) or skin grafting.