Which burn depth is characterized by charred tissue?

• A. Superficial partial thickness
• B. Deep partial thickness
• C. Full thickness
• D. Subdermal

Answer: (C)

Charred tissue indicates a full-thickness burn. When the entire skin thickness is destroyed, the resulting wound appears dry, leathery, and often black or charred, with loss of sensation because the nerve endings are destroyed. These burns do not blanch with pressure and typically require surgical removal of dead tissue and skin grafting for closure. In contrast, superficial partial thickness burns are red and blistered and painful, deep partial thickness burns are pale or waxy and may have reduced sensation but are not charred, and subdermal burns extend deeper, potentially exposing underlying structures.