In which type of burn is the skin red and blistered?

The description of skin that is red and blistered corresponds to second-degree burns. These burns affect both the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and the underlying layer (dermis). The redness indicates inflammation and increased blood flow to the area, which is a response to injury, while the formation of blisters is a hallmark of second-degree burns, indicating severe damage to the dermis where fluid accumulates.

In contrast, first-degree burns typically only affect the epidermis, resulting in redness and minimal discomfort without blistering. Third-degree burns penetrate through all skin layers and may appear white, charred, or leathery, lacking the redness and blisters seen in second-degree burns. Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin into deeper tissues such as muscles, tendons, and bone, often leading to significant tissue loss and not presenting with the characteristics of redness and blisters.