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Full-thickness burns are characterized by the damage they cause to all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. This type of burn not only destroys the skin structure but can also penetrate deeper to affect underlying muscles and nerves, leading to a significant risk of complications such as infection, scarring, and functional impairment of the affected area.

Unlike partial-thickness burns, which only damage the outer two layers of skin and leave some ability for the skin to heal, full-thickness burns result in a loss of sensation in the burned area due to nerve damage. Superficial burns are limited to the epidermis and generally heal without permanent damage. Thermal burns refer more broadly to burns caused by heat sources and can encompass various types of burns, including full-thickness. Thus, when identifying burns that damage all layers of skin and harm deeper structures, full-thickness is the most accurate and specific answer.