What type of burn causes damage deep into the skin layers without reaching muscle or bone?

A second-degree burn is characterized by damage that extends through the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and into the underlying layer (dermis). This type of burn typically causes blisters, swelling, and significant pain, but does not penetrate deeply enough to affect muscle or bone. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, and glands, and damage at this level can lead to scarring and changes in skin texture.

In contrast, first-degree burns affect only the epidermis and result in redness and mild pain without blisters. Third-degree burns extend through both the epidermis and dermis, reaching deeper into subcutaneous tissue and potentially affecting nerves, which can result in a lack of pain in those areas due to nerve damage. Fourth-degree burns are the most severe, damaging all layers of the skin and extending to underlying muscle, fat, and bone. Therefore, the distinction of damage level and depth is crucial in identifying a second-degree burn as the correct answer.