Which type of burn is characterized by red, painful skin and blisters?

The type of burn characterized by red, painful skin and blisters is indeed a second-degree burn. These burns affect both the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and the dermis (the second layer of skin). The damage at this level leads to symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and the formation of blisters as the body tries to protect the underlying layers.

In contrast, a first-degree burn primarily affects only the outermost layer of skin, resulting in mild irritation and redness without blisters. Third-degree burns penetrate deeper into the skin, often damaging nerves and leading to a lack of pain sensation in the severely burned area, as well as charred or white skin. Fourth-degree burns extend even further, reaching muscle and bone, and usually require surgical intervention. Thus, the features you described—specifically the presence of blisters and pain—are the hallmarks of a second-degree burn.