How do full thickness burns typically appear?

Full thickness burns, also known as third-degree burns, are characterized by significant damage to all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and potentially underlying tissues. Their appearance is typically white to black and leathery due to the destruction of skin structures and the loss of moisture.

In these burns, the skin may lose its normal color, taking on a charred, dry, or leathery texture as the tissues become necrotic. This lack of blood flow and the extent of injury result in the distinctive appearance. Additionally, because nerve endings can be damaged, full thickness burns can be painless in the affected areas, which contrasts with more superficial burns that may be red, blistered, or moist and typically present with pain due to intact nerve pathways.

The other descriptions do not align with the characteristics of full thickness burns, as they describe types of burns that are less severe and involve more superficial layers of the skin.