A burn covering about two inches on a hand that is painful, red, and swollen but no blisters should be treated as a second-degree burn.

• A. False.
• B. It depends.
• C. True.
• D. Not sure.

Answer: (C)

A burn’s depth determines how serious it is, not just how big it looks. A second-degree (partial-thickness) burn involves the epidermis and part of the dermis. The hallmark signs are pain, redness, and swelling, and while blisters are common, they aren’t required for a burn to be second-degree. So a two-inch burn on the hand that’s painful, red, and swollen fits partial-thickness involvement even if there are no blisters. That’s why this is treated as a second-degree burn. Handle it with gentle cooling, protect with a clean dressing, and seek medical evaluation if swelling is significant or if you notice increasing pain, redness spreading, or signs of infection, since the hand is a function-critical area and larger or deeper burns need professional assessment.