Medicines for Acid and chemical burns

What it is

Acid and chemical burns are burns caused by contact with corrosive or irritant chemicals — such as strong acids, alkalis (like bleach or drain cleaners), and other harmful substances. They can affect the skin, eyes, and, if swallowed or inhaled, the inside of the body. Chemical burns can happen at home (for example from household cleaning products), at work (from industrial chemicals), or as a result of assault. A key and important feature of chemical burns is that the chemical can continue to damage the tissue for as long as it remains in contact — so, unlike some other burns, the damage can keep progressing until the chemical is removed. This is why immediate and prolonged rinsing with water to wash the chemical away is the crucial first step, and can significantly limit the injury. The effects of a chemical burn depend on the chemical, its strength, the amount, how long it was in contact, and the area affected, and can include: pain (though some chemicals may cause little pain initially despite serious damage); redness, blistering, or damage to the skin; burning or stinging; and, if the eyes are affected, pain, redness, watering, and problems with vision (chemical eye burns are a particular emergency, as they can damage sight). If chemicals are swallowed or inhaled, they can cause serious internal injury and breathing problems. Because chemical burns can be serious and the chemical keeps causing damage until removed, the priority is to act immediately: remove the source and any contaminated clothing (safely), and rinse the affected area with running water for a prolonged period, then seek medical help — with serious burns, eye involvement, large or deep burns, or swallowed or inhaled chemicals needing urgent or emergency care. The key messages are that chemical burns can keep damaging tissue until the chemical is removed, that immediate, prolonged rinsing with water is the crucial first step, and that medical help — urgent for serious or eye injuries — should be sought.

How it is treated

Chemical burns are a first-aid and, often, medical emergency, and the priority is to stop the chemical causing further damage by removing it and rinsing thoroughly with water, then getting appropriate medical help. The immediate first-aid steps for a chemical burn are: protect yourself (avoid contact with the chemical, wearing gloves or protection if available, and being careful not to spread it); remove the cause of the burn and any contaminated clothing or jewellery from the affected area (carefully, avoiding further contact and not pulling anything stuck to the skin); and — crucially — rinse the affected area with cool or lukewarm running water continuously for a prolonged period (often around 20 minutes or more) to wash away the chemical, as this is the most important step and can significantly limit the damage; brushing off any dry powder chemical first (if relevant) before rinsing may be advised. For a chemical in the eye, the eye should be rinsed immediately and continuously with water (holding the eye open) for a prolonged period, and urgent eye care sought, as chemical eye burns are a sight-threatening emergency. After rinsing, the burn should be covered loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or cloth, and medical help sought. It is important to seek urgent or emergency medical care for: chemical burns to the eyes; large, deep, or severe burns; burns to sensitive areas (such as the face, hands, or genitals); burns from strong or unknown chemicals; and any chemical that has been swallowed or inhaled (which can cause serious internal or breathing problems and needs emergency help — and advice should be sought rather than trying to make the person vomit if swallowed). Even seemingly minor chemical burns should be assessed if there is any concern, and information about the chemical involved (such as the product or label) is helpful for treatment. In hospital, chemical burns are assessed and treated — with further irrigation, wound care, pain relief, and treatment tailored to the chemical and the injury, and specialist care for serious burns or eye injuries. Preventing chemical burns — by storing and using chemicals safely, following safety instructions, using protective equipment, and keeping household chemicals away from children — is important. The key messages are: for a chemical burn, act immediately — remove the chemical and contaminated clothing, and rinse thoroughly with running water for a prolonged period — and seek medical help, urgently for eye involvement, serious burns, or swallowed or inhaled chemicals.