Chemical Burns - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Overview

• Happens at school/work/ home
• Risk is greater at place of work/factories
• Happens as a result of accident / assault
• Injury caused by coagulation / necrosis of tissue
• Damage depends on exposure / time / chemical

Causes

• Strong acids or bases (alkali)
• Chemical Irritants

Symptoms

• Irritation / burning 
• Redness of skin
• Pain / numbness 
• Blisters 
• Coughing 
• Breathlessness
• Vision loss, if eye is affected
• Head ache

Symptoms in severe cases

• Dizziness
• Severe cough
• Seizures
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heart 
• Cardiac arrest

Treatment

• Remove patient from accident site
• Wash injury with tepid water liberally
• Identify chemical for effective therapy
• Seek medical treatment
• IV fluids need to be administered
• Pain medications and antibiotics needed
• Wounds cleaned and bandaged
• Follow -up care compulsory
• Consultation with specialist is a must

Prevention

• While using chemicals, follow safety precautions
• Avoid overexposure to chemicals
• Store chemicals safely in containers
• Keep them out of reach of children
• Avoid misuse of hair, skin, nail care products
• Avoid mixing different chemicals
• Avoid using toxic substances in kitchen /near food
• Use fume-emitting products in ventilated areas