What is a defining feature of third-degree burns?

Third-degree burns are characterized by their depth and the extent of damage they inflict on the skin. They involve the complete destruction of both the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and the dermis (the underlying layer), which results in the loss of all skin appendages, including hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. This comprehensive destruction leads to a significantly altered skin structure that cannot heal properly on its own.

Due to the depth of tissue involvement, third-degree burns typically do not heal well without medical intervention and often require skin grafting. Furthermore, since the skin layers and appendages that are crucial for the normal healing process are destroyed, scarring is a common consequence of third-degree burns.

In contrast, the other options describe features of lesser degree burns or mischaracterize third-degree burns. For instance, first and second-degree burns may exhibit redness and blanching or may be moist and elastic, but these features do not apply to third-degree burns due to the extent of the tissue injury.