A mild sunburn is described as which degree?

• A. Second-degree
• B. First-degree
• C. Third-degree
• D. Fourth-degree

Answer: (B)

Classification of sunburns is based on how deeply the skin is damaged. A mild sunburn affects only the outermost layer, the epidermis, producing redness and mild aching without blisters. This depth of injury fits the first-degree category, and healing usually occurs in a few days with little or no scarring. The redness comes from inflammatory mediators increasing blood flow to damaged skin, while the dermal layers remain intact.

Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis and typically present with blistering. Third-degree burns are full-thickness, destroying both epidermis and dermis and possibly extending into deeper tissues, often requiring medical treatment. Fourth-degree burns extend through to muscle or bone. So for a mild sunburn, the description aligns with a first-degree burn.