Second-degree sunburn involves which skin layers?

• A. Epidermis and part of the dermis
• B. Only the epidermis
• C. Only the dermis
• D. Subcutaneous tissue

Answer: (A)

Second-degree sunburns involve damage to the epidermis and part of the underlying dermis. The epidermis is the outer protective layer, while the dermis sits beneath it and contains nerve endings, blood vessels, and other structures. When UV damage extends into the dermis, fluid leaks and forms blisters, and the area becomes very painful due to exposed nerves. Because the injury reaches into the dermis but doesn’t go all the way to deeper tissues like the subcutaneous layer, it’s more than a superficial burn but not a full-thickness burn. If only the epidermis were affected, that would be a milder first-degree burn; involvement of deeper tissues such as the subcutaneous layer would indicate a more severe burn.