The epidermis is the topmost layer of the skin which invariably gets affected in any burn. The most common and immediate symptom is redness of the skin in the affected area. This is a symptom of a first degree burn which occurs in almost every case. Whether it is a chemical burn, a sunburn or a burn due to contact with a hot object, the epidermis becomes red and slightly swollen too.

As the burn gets a little deeper, the pain it causes starts to get very severe. The nerve endings are all located under the epidermis. These are responsible for conduction of pain to the brain. When the burns go beyond the first degree level, they affect not only the epidermis, but also the nerve endings. Thus, there is severe radiating pain from the affected areas.

The dermis is the second layer of the skin located below the epidermis. In second degree burns, this layer also gets affected. The result is fluid filled blisters on the surface of the skin. There is also a wetness and tenderness in the skin. Since the skin loses its connection with the body, it dies and begins to peel away too.

At times, the burns go real deep. The extent of damage is determined by the BSA (body surface area) affected by the burns. When more than 20 percent of the BSA is affected by burns, it is known as a major burn. Another measure of the extent of the burn is its penetration depth. Third degree burns which go beyond the dermis change the nature of the skin itself. The skin becomes white and leathery. It may also get tanned in appearance.

Since third degree burns penetrate deep, there is a chance that the nerves get completely burnt. This has an opposite effect than that of second degree burns that cause intense pain. The nerves are completely destroyed and therefore leave nothing behind to conduct the pain to the brain. Thus, the affected parts become completely numb. This numbness, accompanied by blistering and peeling skin, is something that must be treated immediately.

A person who has undergone severe burns becomes susceptible to other secondary infections. Bacterial and fungal growths increase because all the defenses of the skin are down. Whatever little defense of the body remains is now busy in repairing the burn damage.

The worst kind of burns are called fourth degree burns. The thing about such burns are that the nerves are damaged beyond repair and thus, there is no sensation of pain at all. But, the skin is totally burnt and gone. The flesh also gets cooked and charred pieces are seen. A lot of fluid and wetness is seen in the affected areas. The flesh may soon begin to rot also. These kind of burns take a lot of time to heal.

The affect a burn has on a person also depends on its location. When the airways get affected due to the burns, there will be difficulty in breathing. Sensitive areas like the face, hands and genitalia can get most severely affected with burns. Thus, one may lose reproductive ability due to burns. It could also lead to loss of sight, hearing, smell and/or taste. This loss of function in most cases will be irreversible.

Burns are indiscriminate in their damage and devastation. They lead to a host of other symptoms. The foremost among these are fevers and a severe weakness. The body temperatures may soar beyond 104 degrees F. New, unexplained symptoms often arise and when the burns are either third degree or fourth degree, the effects and symptoms cannot be limited. Any damage is possible and death too is a distinct possibility.