What type of burns involve a charred appearance of underlying tissue?

The type of burns that involve a charred appearance of underlying tissue is classified as fourth-degree burns. These burns extend through the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue, affecting deeper structures such as muscle, tendons, and even bone. The tissue can appear blackened or charred due to the extensive damage caused by the thermal injury.

In the context of the burn classifications: first-degree burns are superficial, affecting only the outer layer of skin and typically present with redness and mild pain. Second-degree burns involve the deeper layers of the skin, leading to blistering and swelling, but do not result in charring. Third-degree burns damage all skin layers and can result in a white, leathery appearance, but do not necessarily involve the same degree of charring seen in fourth-degree burns.

Given the depth and severity of fourth-degree burns, the charred appearance indicates full-thickness damage, which is characteristic of the most severe form of burn injury, aligning with how these burns are classified in medical terminology.