Burn Injury Resource Center

Management:

First aid should be administered as soon as a chemical burn has occurred.

1. Remove the cause of the chemical burn.


2. For liquid chemicals, remove any clothing or other items that the chemicals may have spilled on. Wash thoroughly any chemicals off the skin under running water for 15-30 minutes.


3. For dry chemicals, wash the area with a large amount of water to flush the chemical from the skin; don't use small amounts of water as they may activate the chemicals. If there is no water then brush the dry chemical with a clean cloth.


4. Loosely cover the burn with a dry, sterile bandage.


5. If the chemical gets into the eyes, the eyes should be flushed with water immediately, continue flushing the eyes with running water and get medical help immediately, if there are contact lenses try to remove them.


6. If the chemical substance is swallowed or inhaled, seek medical attention immediately.


7. Minor chemical burns will generally heal without further treatment. However if there is a second or a third degree part I, part II burn or if there is an overall body reaction, then get medical help immediately.


8. Don't do the following: a) Apply any household remedy to a chemical burn. b) Break blisters or remove dead skin from a chemical burn.


9. Call your doctor and/ or proceed to the nearest ER.

Prevention:

1. Wear protective clothing: goggles, gloves, and clothing.


2. Store all chemicals out of reach of children, in tamper proof containers.


3. Don't mix different products that contain toxic chemicals because they can give off toxic fumes.


4. Avoid using potentially toxic substances in the kitchen or around food.


5. Don't ever store household products and chemicals in food or drink containers.


6. Only use chemicals that give off fumes in well ventilated area. Store chemicals safely immediately after use.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.

Chemical burns of the skin are burns that happen when strong acids or strong bases (alkalies) come in contact with the skin. Chemical burns follow the standard burn classification (first part I, II, second and third degree part I, II), most chemical burns occur on the face, eyes, arms and legs.

Clinical features:

The exact clinical features of a chemical burn depends on the type of chemical substance involved, it's concentration, it's physical form, duration of contact, site of contact, whether or not the skin is intact and if the substance is swallowed or inhaled. Symptoms may include:

1. Redness, irritation, or burning at the contact site.


2. Pain or numbness at the contact site.


3. Acidic chemicals cause a black dead skin because they denature proteins.


4. Alkali chemicals cause deep tissue injury to the skin because they denature proteins and cause saponification (hydrolysis) of fats.


5. If the chemical substance comes in contact with the eye it may lead to vision changes or complete loss of sight.


6. If the chemical substance is swallowed or inhaled this may lead to vomiting, headache, cough or shortness of breath, faintness, weakness, dizziness, muscle twitching, seizures, irregular heartbeats or cardiac arrest.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.