From a medical standpoint, burns are classified into three categories: first, second and third-degree burns. When a burn affects only the first layer of skin, we refer to it as a first-degree burn. If deeper layers of the skin are damaged then we refer to it as a second-degree burn. Third-degree burns are the most severe because they damage all the skin layers. When third-degree burns cover 20% of the body, they are considered life-threatening.
