Which burn type may lead to nerve damage and loss of sensation?

The type of burn that may lead to nerve damage and loss of sensation is a fourth-degree burn. This severe burn extends through all layers of the skin—epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue—and into underlying structures such as muscle and bone. Because fourth-degree burns destroy not only the skin but also the nerve endings that run through these layers, they can result in significant loss of sensation in the affected area. The damage to the nerves means that the individual might not feel pain or other sensations in that region, as the normal signaling pathway is disrupted.

In contrast, first-degree burns typically only involve the epidermis, leading to redness and mild pain without any nerve damage. Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and a portion of the dermis and may lead to pain, blisters, and swelling, but they generally do not destroy deeper nerve endings. Third-degree burns affect the entire thickness of the skin and may damage nerve endings, but like second-degree burns, they do not penetrate as deeply as fourth-degree burns, which are considerably more severe. Therefore, fourth-degree burns are specifically characterized by the potential for nerve damage and the resultant loss of sensation.