Re: How long does it take before living tissue beneath dead skin is burned?

Well, that is a complex problem.

It depends on a number of things:

1. The amount of heat applied to the outside tissue
2. The thickness of the external tissue
3. The hydration of the external tissue
4. The time over which the heat is applied
5. The blood supply of the internal tissue

Basically, this is a heat transfer problem. On the feet, the epidermis is
very thick (~4 mm) and the outermost layer (stratum corneum) is basically
sloughed cells containing lots of keratin. It acts as an insulator. So, as
long as you continue to walk, the amount of heat transfered to the inward
layers of epidermis and dermis is not sufficient to cause a burn.

In addition, it is thought that the coals may thenselves assist in this
process, since they tend to develop an insulating layer of ash on their
surface.

However, all of this extrememly variable - so, don't ry this at home!!
Needless to say, you can burn your feet very severely.