What is a common symptom of a first-degree burn?

A first-degree burn primarily affects the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. The hallmark symptom of this type of burn is redness and swelling. This occurs due to inflammation of the tissue in response to the injury. The skin may feel warm to the touch because of increased blood flow to the affected area. In addition, there can be mild pain or discomfort associated with it, but blisters are not typically seen in first-degree burns as they are a characteristic of second-degree burns, which involve deeper skin layers.

Other symptoms like charring of the skin or white, waxy skin are associated with much more severe burns—third-degree burns—in which the damage extends deeper and affects the dermis and underlying tissues. Therefore, recognizing redness and swelling is key in identifying a first-degree burn accurately.