Final answer:
Second-degree burns require cleaning and sterile care to prevent infection and heal over several weeks, while third-degree burns necessitate medical attention, possible excision, skin grafting, or amputation due to the extensive tissue and nerve damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
For second-degree burns that involve swelling and painful blistering and third-degree burns that destroy tissue and affect nerve endings, immediate medical attention is critical. The correct treatment involves keeping the burn site clean and sterile to prevent infection. For second-degree burns, if proper care is provided, the burns normally heal within several weeks.
However, third-degree burns require more intensive care, including potential excision (debridement), grafting of the skin, or even amputation in severe cases. These types of burns can appear white, red, or black and will not heal without medical intervention due to the damage to nerve endings and local tissues that aid in repair.