In third-degree burns, pain may be absent because:

In third-degree burns, pain may be absent because:

• A. The burn damages only the surface.
• B. Pain is always severe.
• C. Nerve endings destroyed; pain may be absent.
• D. Pain receptors become more sensitive.

Answer: (C)

Third-degree burns destroy nerve endings in the damaged area, so the burned skin can be numb or insensitive to pain. When the full thickness of the skin is destroyed, the sensory nerves inside the skin are damaged or destroyed as well, which reduces or eliminates pain signals from that zone. You may still feel pain around the edges where nerves remain intact, and pain can reappear later as healing proceeds and nerves begin to regrow. This is why a third-degree burn can be painless in the center even though the burn is severe.

Third-degree burns destroy nerve endings in the damaged area, so the burned skin can be numb or insensitive to pain. When the full thickness of the skin is destroyed, the sensory nerves inside the skin are damaged or destroyed as well, which reduces or eliminates pain signals from that zone. You may still feel pain around the edges where nerves remain intact, and pain can reappear later as healing proceeds and nerves begin to regrow. This is why a third-degree burn can be painless in the center even though the burn is severe.