The most usual type of burn injury is a thermal burn, produced by exposure to fire, scalding water, or hot objects (including the sun). Another type of burn injury are chemical burn injuries.

Burn injuries include harm to nerve tissue, muscle and skin, and sometimes even bones. Burn injuries are usually accompanied by other traumatic injuries, like fractures or other complications due to surgery or smoke inhalation.

One way to classify a burn injury is by depth of the injury. This is method is useful for making clinical decisions and when giving a prognosis for recovery. There are 3 degrees that classify burns:

- A first-degree burn is mild injury. It affects only the external layer of the skin.

- A second-degree burn damages all of the epidermis and a part of the dermis.

- A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, affects the epidermis, the full dermis, skin appendages, and sometimes deeper tissue. A burn like this, even when it includes a minor surface area, generally needs hospitalization.

Recovery from a burn injury needs an effective and highly specialized skin treatment. Open wounds must be carefully cared for to prevent infection and to promote healing as quickly as possible. Therapy may include speech therapy, swallowing therapy, respiratory treatment, and carefully monitored nutrient and fluid intake.

As a burn injury becomes less acute, other problems require intervention. These include tissue flexibility, emotional support, the building of a new self-image, daily living and walking skills, the incorporation of previous leisure interests and re-adjustment to community and family life.

Immature burn scars tissue will change from a reddish to white color while stretching. Be sure to pay extra attention to these patches because they can get much tighter if you do not stretch them on a regular basis.

Cured burn wounds, grafts, and donor sites are highly sensitive to direct solar light and require special skin care measures. These areas can become very dry and also burn very quickly. After burn wounds have healed, you must avoid direct sunlight exposure for at least six months. After those first six months, it is okay to allow short sunlight exposures. It is vital to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Apply the sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure. Also, try to avoid direct exposure to the sun between (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Try to stay out of direct sunlight and reapply sunscreen often. You can gradually increase your exposure to sunlight over a period of time.