What is a typical cause of a 2nd degree burn?

A second-degree burn, also known as a partial thickness burn, is characterized by damage to both the epidermis and a portion of the dermis. This type of burn usually results in blisters, swelling, and red, splotchy skin.

Contact with hot liquids, such as a spill of hot coffee, is a common cause of second-degree burns because the high temperature of the liquid can cause severe tissue damage quickly upon contact. The duration of exposure and the temperature of the coffee play significant roles in the severity of the burn, which typically leads to blistering.

In contrast, sunburn is usually a first-degree burn affecting only the outer layer of the skin. Contact with ice can result in frostbite, which is a different kind of tissue injury. Electric shock can lead to a variety of injuries, including burns, but the nature and context of the burn can vary significantly, often leading to deeper burns depending on the specifics of the electrical injury.