What is a characteristic of full thickness burns?

Full thickness burns are characterized by the fact that they can involve all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissue such as fat, muscle, and even bone. In these burns, the damage extends deeply into the skin, which results in a significant loss of function and can alter the appearance of the skin, often leading to a leathery texture.

The other options do not accurately represent full thickness burns. For instance, stating that they only damage the epidermis describes superficial burns, which do not penetrate as deeply. Full thickness burns can also lead to areas that appear white or charred rather than red, indicating the extensive damage caused, contrasting with the notion that they result in redness and swelling. Lastly, while some areas of the full thickness burn may be painless due to nerve damage, many other factors come into play regarding pain perception, making this statement generalize beyond the complexities of burn injuries.