What type of burns does a patient with reddening and blisters typically have?

The presence of reddening and blisters on the skin typically indicates a second-degree burn. This type of burn affects both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and part of the underlying layer (dermis). The reddening, which is a sign of inflammation, occurs as the body responds to the injury, while blisters form as a protective mechanism, helping to prevent infection and allowing the area to heal.

In contrast, first-degree burns primarily affect only the epidermis, resulting in redness and swelling without blister formation. Full-thickness burns extend through all skin layers and can damage underlying tissues, presenting with white, leathery skin rather than redness and blisters. While partial-thickness burns can also involve blistering, the term "second-degree burns" is specifically used to describe those that cause the blistering characteristic of this type of injury.