Which of the following indicates a first degree burn?

A first-degree burn is characterized by redness and mild swelling. This type of burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) and is often the result of brief exposure to heat, such as from a sunburn or a minor scald. The skin will appear red due to increased blood flow to the area as part of the body’s inflammatory response to injury, and there is typically some swelling, although it is not severe.

In contrast, the other characteristics indicate more severe burn types. White skin with blisters suggests a second-degree burn, which affects deeper layers and results in blisters as the skin tries to heal. Dark charred skin indicates a third-degree burn, which damages all layers of the skin and potentially underlying tissues, often leading to a leathery appearance. Peeling skin can be associated with both second-degree burns as they heal or with sunburn, but it does not specifically indicate a first-degree burn. In a first-degree burn, the skin typically does not peel as it is not as severely damaged. Therefore, the presence of redness and mild swelling distinctly fits the definition of a first-degree burn.