Which type of burn involves all layers of the skin and may appear charred?

A third-degree burn is characterized by damage that extends through all layers of the skin, affecting the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. This type of burn results in significant tissue destruction, which can appear charred, leathery, or even white. The affected area may be painless initially due to nerve damage, which can lead to a misconception about the severity of the injury.

In contrast, a first-degree burn primarily affects the outermost layer of the skin, leading to redness and pain but no blistering or charring. Second-degree burns involve both the epidermis and part of the dermis, resulting in blisters and a more severe level of pain, but do not extend through all layers. Fourth-degree burns go deeper, involving muscles and bones, and are not typically described merely in terms of the superficial characteristics of the skin – they present a more critical and complex injury situation. Thus, the distinguishing features of third-degree burns include full-thickness skin loss and the potential presentation of charring, which is why it is the correct answer to this question.