What to do with a chemical burn. First aid for chemical burns. When is a chemical burn a medical emergency?

Chemical burns are damage to the skin with the help of various chemicals. Statistics show that the most common burns of this type affect the upper and lower limbs, body and head. Less commonly, damage to the respiratory system or digestive tract occurs. First aid for a chemical burn is very important, it should consist in the complete regeneration of the pH level of the skin.

Types of damage

You can get such an injury for several reasons, it depends on them what to do with a chemical burn in the future and how exactly PMP will be provided. may be a consequence of skin interaction with:

salts heavy metals;
various acids;
alkalis;
all kinds of chemicals that have an active type.

To determine what exactly caused the damage, you need to pay attention to its external signs. During acid burns, the area of damage is covered with a white crust. After a while, it becomes brown or black. With a chemical burn of the skin with hydrochloric acid, the skin turns yellow, with an injury with nitrogen, the skin color becomes yellow and acquires a brown or greenish tint. The reaction of the skin to alkali is manifested by the formation of a moist or gelatinous crust. When an injured area becomes infected, the skin, after a few days, becomes dense and dry. During an alkaline burn, fats are saponified and proteins are dissolved. This is what causes the formation of such a wound.

First aid for chemical burns also depends on the severity of the injury.

There are four main types of gravity
The first degree is an injury that is accompanied by the formation of swelling and redness of the skin. If the damage occurred as a result of interaction with acids, then the skin becomes covered with thin dried crusts. If the injury is provoked by alkalis, then the skin is formed after a while, and it is wet. The area of damage does not lose its sensitivity and is fully restored after a week.
In the case of the second degree of severity, the damage is deeper. Symptoms of this type of injury are redness and the formation of thin layers of necrosis. As a result of thermochemical damage, blisters may occur. Often, second-degree burns do not heal.
The third degree of injury causes the death of many layers of skin. The skin wrinkles and changes its appearance, and in the area of necrosis that has arisen, the skin swells.
The fourth degree is considered the most severe. It is characterized by the death and destruction of all soft tissues (bones, muscles, blood vessels, etc.).

Urgent care

At home, first aid for chemical burns must be provided in the correct order. If you do everything according to special rules, then further treatment results will be as positive as possible.

The initial first aid actions for a chemical burn of the skin should be the removal from the body of clothing and other objects that have come into contact with an aggressive substance. Next, rinse the damaged area under cool water for 20 minutes. If the washing was not timely, then its duration should be increased to 35-40 minutes. In no case do not try to remove the chemical with napkins or cotton wool, this procedure will bring even more harm.

If the injury occurred as a result of exposure to the skin with a chemical powder, then the first aid for such a chemical burn should be to remove the substance from the wounded area, because some chemical powders. substances react with water and ignite, resulting in vaporization or boiling.

Next, you need to secure the remaining chemicals in the wound. If the damage was caused by the ingress of acids on the human skin, then the wound is washed with a two percent solution baking soda or soap and water. In the event that the cause of the injury was the interaction of alkalis with the skin, treatment must be carried out using acetic or citric acid.

Providing first aid and suppressing the reaction of carboxylic acids, you can use fermented milk products or preparations containing glycerin, and chem. lime substances - a two percent solution of granulated sugar.

If the victim complains of severe pain, then one of the stages of emergency care should be taking an anesthetic.

After first aid is provided for chemical burns, it is necessary to protect the area of \u200b\u200bthe injured area of \u200b\u200bthe skin from entering all kinds of infections. A gauze bandage is applied to the site of the lesion (The use of cotton wool is strictly prohibited). The following actions should be carried out by physicians, whom it is desirable to contact in the event of any injury of this type.

Signs that need to be addressed medical institution for emergency help:

the victim faints, breathing is disturbed and the color of the skin changes;
aggressive substances enter the eyes, mouth or digestive tract;
the burn area is large enough;
pain syndrome does not disappear after taking an anesthetic;
the wounds are deep and their area exceeds 10 cm.

Eye burn

Signs that determine:

fear of light;
copious flow of tears;
cutting pain in the area;
redness.

If you do not seek help from specialists in a timely manner, then there is a chance to permanently lose your sight.

Rendering first first aid in this case, it should be as fast and high-quality as possible. Under running water, the eyes are washed for about twenty minutes, if the lesion occurred due to interaction with alkalis, then milk can be used for the washing procedure. After that, urgently call an ambulance team, which will take all necessary measures to prevent all kinds of consequences.

Damage to the digestive tract

Characterized by the following symptoms:

sharp pain;
burning in the esophagus and stomach;
severe pain in the throat and mouth;
vomiting with blood impurities;
sometimes, when vomiting, pieces of the injured mucosa come out.

In such cases, a weak solution of vinegar is taken to eliminate alkali chemicals. For acid burns, the stomach is washed using a solution of ordinary soda. In this case, it is almost impossible to help the victim on your own, so you will immediately seek help from experienced specialists.

Chemical burns can cause irreparable harm to human health.

Therefore, it is very important to be able to provide first aid to the victim. From this, in most cases, the degree of damage and the consequences of the burn will depend.

It is important to understand the essential difference between chemical and thermal burns. In case of burns with chemical reagents, it is necessary to clearly know the antidote substances that neutralize the effects of a particular chemical reagent. What to do with a chemical burn? How to treat a chemical burn? Is it possible to cope with the treatment of a chemical burn at home? Everything in order - in this collection of material.

Chemical burn of the skin: features, symptoms, diagnosis

A chemical burn is a violation of the integrity of the tissues of the human body under the influence of agents of a chemical nature.

This type of burn often becomes more dangerous than a thermal burn. This is due to the type of aggressive chemical and the duration of the reagent. The process of cell destruction and chemical absorption can continue even after the chemical component has been eliminated, which often complicates the timely determination of the extent of the lesion.

Chemical burns occur as a result of non-compliance with safety regulations when working with chemical reagents or in case of accidents at home (intentionally or through negligence).

External symptoms of chemical burns differ depending on the action of the chemical. Most often, acid or alkaline preparations become the source of damage.

When exposed to skin alkali , the resulting scab is looser, with blurred boundaries. Alkaline fluids are able to penetrate deeper into the skin than acids, causing more widespread damage to soft tissues.
Skin exposed to acid , at the site of the lesion, a dense, dry crust (eschar) with clear contours is formed.

Burns caused by exposure chemical acids, in most cases are superficial. By the color of the affected skin, you can determine the name of the acting acid.

Upon contact with sulfuric acid, the skin becomes first white, then gray. With prolonged contact, the burn acquires a darker, brown hue.
Effects on the skin nitric acid leads to a change in the skin to yellow-green or brown-yellow color (depending on the duration of contact).
After exposure of hydrochloric acid , the skin turns visibly yellow.
The burn caused acetic acid becomes dark brown.
carboxylic acid causes whitening of the area of damaged skin, which eventually changes to a brown color.

It is possible to accurately diagnose the degree of damage only after a few days (when suppuration of the scab area begins). The longer the effect of chemical components on the tissues of the body and the larger the area of damage, the more dangerous the burn for human health and life. Therefore, in case of chemical burns, it is very important to provide first aid to the victim, and then immediately contact a qualified medical care.

It is in the hospital that, by the nature of the damage, the depth of penetration, the concentration of the chemical reagent and the duration of its exposure, the degree of the chemical burn received will be determined and treatment will be prescribed.

No less dangerous is general toxic poisoning of the body with an aggressive chemical component. Therefore, it is sometimes so difficult to diagnose by the area of damaged skin, all the negative effects of the reagent on the human body and possible consequences.

In addition to skin damage, a chemical burn can damage the eyes or internal organs especially the gastrointestinal tract. body parts with thin skin(face, skin folds, genital area) are more affected, since there is the smallest thickness of the epidermis.

Degrees of chemical burns

There are 4 main degrees of chemical burns.

Idegree

Only the top layer of the skin is affected, there is a slight swelling and redness of the area. The burn is accompanied by moderate painful sensations treatment is carried out at home.

IIdegree

In a second-degree burn, not only the top layer of the skin is damaged, but also the lower tissues. The burn is accompanied by swelling, redness and the appearance of bubbles with a clear serous fluid. The level of soreness and sensitivity becomes higher than in the first degree, but with a small burn area, the patient does not need hospitalization.

IIIdegree

There is a deep damage and necrosis of tissues, up to fatty subcutaneous tissue. Small blisters with a cloudy liquid, sometimes with blood, appear on the damaged area. The sensitivity of the skin is significantly reduced and the patient practically does not feel pain at the burn site. The victim needs hospitalization, as spontaneous wound healing often becomes impossible.

IVdegree

The most dangerous degree, in which not only skin and muscle tissues are deeply affected, but also tendons and bones. Surgical care is provided in a hospital setting.

Rules for the treatment of chemical burns

There are a number of rules, the use of which in emergency situations will help to significantly alleviate the condition of the victim and reduce the effect of the reagent on the body.

First aid for chemical burns should be provided without delay and fuss. You need to act calmly and judiciously. How well and correctly the first aid is provided to the victim will depend on the success of further treatment.
It is especially important to know the rules for providing first aid to people working with chemicals. Indeed, in such situations, the risks of getting a chemical injury are much greater.

Knowledge of the main antidotes listed below will help to quickly neutralize the active substance influencing.
After receiving first aid, the patient must consult a doctor to rule out possible Negative consequences after the burn.
The main rule of first aid is not to harm the victim.
The key rules for the treatment of chemical burns, in addition to providing qualified first aid to the victim, come down to drying the wound, treating it with antiseptics (so that there is no suppuration) and using drugs that improve blood circulation and tissue regeneration processes.

First aid for chemical burns

First aid for chemical burns can radically change the subsequent treatment process, both for the better and for the worse. Therefore, before helping the victim, you need to be 100% sure of your knowledge so as not to harm the injured person.

First of all, with a chemical burn, it is important to stop the action of the chemical agent. Therefore, if the substance gets on clothing, it must be immediately removed or cut.
If there are residues of powder chemicals on the skin, they are first shaken off the skin and only then the residues are washed off.
The damaged area of the skin is thoroughly washed with running water, thereby reducing the concentration of the chemical, the depth of its penetration, cooling the skin and reducing pain. Wash the wound for 10-30 minutes.

The exception is burns caused by alkali, quicklime, organoaluminum compounds!

If the burn is caused by acid the affected area of the skin washed with 1-2% soda solution and then apply a swab dipped in ammonia solution(alcohol diluted with water). You can not "repay" the burn with an alkali solution - this will lead to a new burn, only already caused by alkali. Diluted acid is more dangerous than concentrated acid. This is due to the fact that highly concentrated acid instantly causes proteins to coagulate, forming a dense scab, preventing the burn from deepening. Especially dangerous is exposure to the skin of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid, used, for example, for glass etching.
Burn caused by alkali dangerous for its rapid penetration deep into the tissues. Such a burn cannot be rinsed with water. The hydroxyl group of an alkali under the action of water will contribute to a deeper penetration of the chemical into human tissues. Affected area of skin washed with a 1-2% solution of acetic or citric acid (not concentrated).
Burn caused by quicklime also cannot be treated with water, since the interaction forms slaked lime (strong base). In this situation, it is better to lubricate the burn site with grease and consult a doctor.
Burn caused by pesticides and herbicides, process ethyl alcohol or gasoline. After providing first aid, the victim should be taken to the hospital for the introduction of an antidote drug.
Phosphorus burn site, immersed completely in water to prevent spontaneous combustion of the reagent. After that, removing the phosphorus particles present on the skin, apply a bandage soaked in a weak solution. potassium permanganate.

Phenolic burn neutralized with a solution alcohol or vodka.

After washing and neutralizing the chemical reagent, the burn should be applied sterile dry bandage.

Cotton wool for a bandage can not be used!

With severe pain, the patient can be given analgesic drug.
Before the arrival of the ambulance, the victim should drink as much liquid as possible (for example, tea or mineral water).

Treatment of chemical burns

The main rule for the treatment of chemical burns, including at home, is to use medicines only after consulting and examining a doctor. For the sake of safety and a positive effect, you should not self-medicate, risking your health and life.
For the treatment of chemical burns of the skin, it is recommended to lubricate the affected area with special medicinal ointments ( Fusiderm, Solcoseryl). Burns caused by chemicals require subsequent cell regeneration and blood supply, which is what the above ointments are aimed at.
An excellent restoring, disinfecting, healing and drying effect is also provided by such drugs like Bepanthen, Panthenol, ichthyol ointment, sea buckthorn oil.
Alcohol free iodine or preparations containing silver have an antiseptic, disinfectant, drying and analgesic effect.
There are also folk recipes that promote wound healing after thermal and chemical burns. These include compresses based on medicinal herbs: chamomile, oak bark, hop cones. Having prepared decoctions from these herbs, take a sterile bandage, moisten and apply to the wound for 15 minutes. You can prepare a healing ointment based on aloe leaves. To do this, take 2-3 leaves of aloe, wash them, cut off the thorns and grind them into a "slurry". Melted fat (pork or interior) is added to this mass; after cooling - the ointment is ready for use. Application folk recipes However, it is best to discuss with your doctor.

Xchemical burneyes

Chemical burn of the eye is one of the most difficult aspects in terms of treatment in ophthalmology. The danger of such burns lies in the possible weakening or complete loss of vision. This directly depends on the degree of damage, the depth of penetration and, directly, the type of chemical reagent that has entered the eye.

In practice, a chemical burn of the eye with an acid is considered less difficult than an alkaline solution. This is due to the fact that acids provoke instant coagulation of proteins and, therefore, not deep penetration of the reagent. The exceptions are nitric, sulfuric, hydrofluoric acids. If alkali enters the eye, the reagent destroys cells and can lead to tissue necrosis.
First aid for chemical burns of the eye is reduced to abundant washing of the eye and calling an ambulance. At home, it is impossible to provide qualified assistance with such lesions.

Xchemical burn of the mouth or esophagus

This type of burns is one of the most difficult to treat and recover.
In such situations, it is impossible to provide first aid by neutralizing the chemical agent. Only if we are talking about a chemical burn of the oral cavity, you can try to rinse the oral mucosa with water before the ambulance arrives (if this is allowed by the type of chemical involved).
The main task of providing first aid for burns of the digestive system is to urgently call an ambulance.

Xchemical burn of the face

Facial skin is thin and sensitive, and with severe chemical burns, a chemical reagent can disrupt the regenerating function of skin cells, which leads to the formation of scar tissue. From an aesthetic point of view, such "traces" on the face disfigure the appearance of a person, give rise to psychological problems. From a medical point of view, rough scars disrupt the motor and excretory function of the skin.

Nowadays, it has become popular cosmetic procedure like peeling fruit acids. With the wrong dosage and concentration of the acid solution, a shallow first-degree chemical burn may also occur. Such a cosmetic burn often requires a subsequent rather long course of treatment.

Thus, chemical burns pose a serious danger to human health and life, and therefore require qualified medical treatment. But, having information about the features different kind burns and their treatment, you can provide first aid to the victim in time. Correct and timely actions before the arrival of an ambulance can significantly alleviate the patient's condition and contribute to his speedy recovery.

Chemical burn, photo

Video: "First Aid for Chemical Burns"

Burns are probably the most severe of all types of injury, with the exception of a fall from a height. Thermal damage (boiling water, hot objects, and/or open flames) is the most common, although there may be other causes. Any more or less deep or large burn is a very serious injury that requires the vigilant attention of doctors.

Types of burns

According to the type of factor that caused the damage, they are divided into:

thermal caused by contact with hot objects, hot water or open flame
chemical associated with contact with the skin and mucous membranes of various chemicals, often acids or alkalis;
electrical arising under the influence of electric current;
radiation, in which the main damaging factor is radiation (solar, radiation).

There is a second classification - according to the depth of tissue damage. It is important for determining the tactics of treating the patient and predicting the outcome of the burn.

With thermal burns, depending on the depth of tissue damage, there are:

I degree - burns, in which the skin only turns red;
II degree - burns, manifested by the appearance of blisters with transparent contents;
IIIA degree with the admixture of blood in the blisters;
IIIB degree with damage to all layers of the skin;
IV degree - burns, in which the soft tissues under the skin (fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones) are destroyed.

First aid is necessary for any degree of damage, since even the slightest injury is accompanied by severe pain. In addition, even after the cessation of exposure to heat on the skin, the destructive processes in it can proceed quite long time aggravating the injury.

Life-threatening burns

Of course, not every burn carries a serious danger to the life of the victim. However, underestimating their severity can lead to the development of serious consequences. Mandatory hospitalization is subject to people in case of:

superficial burns with an area of more than 20% of the body (for children and the elderly - 10%);
III degree burns with an area of 5% of the body surface;
burns of II degree and above, located in shockogenic zones: perineum, face, hands and feet, the most important ligaments;
electrical injury;
combinations of skin burns with thermal damage to the respiratory tract;
exposure to chemicals.

First aid for burns

Regardless of the cause of the burn, first aid should begin immediately. Every second aggravates the degree of damage, increases its area and depth, worsens the prognosis for the victim.

First aid for thermal burns

The first principle is to stop exposing the skin to heat:

remove the victim from hot water;
put out the flames by throwing a blanket, coat over a person, dousing them with water, throwing snow, sand; the victim himself can bring down the flame by rolling on the ground;
take a person out from under a stream of boiling water, hot steam.

First stage. Remove all smoldering clothing and jewelry from the victim, cutting them with scissors if necessary. The only exception is don't try to peel off synthetics that have melted and stuck to the skin. They should be cut off, leaving the adhering parts in the wound.

Second phase- cooling of affected surfaces. To do this, use running water (best) or applying plastic bags or a heating pad with snow, ice, cold water. Cooling helps to reduce pain, and also prevents further damage to deep-lying tissues. It should be carried out for at least 10-15 minutes, but no measures should slow down the transportation of the victim to the hospital. If it is impossible to cool the affected tissues, the burn site should be left open for 10-15 minutes without bandaging - this will allow it to be cooled by ambient air.

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to open bubbles, no matter how scary they may seem. While the blisters are intact, the skin prevents the infection from penetrating deep into the tissues. After opening them, microorganisms will get on the wound surface, causing its infection and worsening the course of the injury.

At the third stage bandaging of burn surfaces is performed. To do this, use sterile dressings, abundantly moistened with an antiseptic solution (not based on iodine). Panthenol helps very well, which needs to be splashed completely over the entire surface. In case of burns of the hands and feet, the burned fingers should be separated with gauze separators.

If no antiseptic is available, the dressings can be left dry. This is better than leaving the wound open with the risk of infection.

Attention!Never lubricate burns with fat, oil, cream, egg yolk and other substances that people and the Internet recommend! The result will be deplorable - fats form a film on the wound, through which heat escapes worse. In addition, they impair the penetration into the tissues of drugs that a person will be treated in a hospital. Finally, as a result of such "grandmother's methods", coarser scars are formed.

Fourth stage first aid for burns at home - anesthesia. Doctors use narcotic analgesics for this, but at home you can give the victim analgin, baralgin, ketorol, dexalgin - any sufficiently strong pain reliever. You can anesthetize locally if the house has special anti-burn wipes soaked in an antiseptic and a local anesthetic.

Fifth stage– correction of liquid losses. To do this, if the victim is conscious and does not have nausea and vomiting, he should be given tea, water, juice in the amount of 0.5-1 l. Even if he does not want to drink, try to persuade him: this will replenish the loss of fluid through the burn surface and prevent the development of the most dangerous complication - burn shock.

With chemical burns, first aid is provided in almost the same volume. The only difference is the termination harmful factor on the skin is carried out by washing off the chemical with a strong stream of water, preferably flowing.

Attention! Do not try to neutralize acid with alkali and vice versa and do not use baking soda. The release of heat can make the burn combined (chemical + thermal), and the inevitable error in proportion will only aggravate the burn.

If the burn occurred under the action of dry bulk substances, shake them off the skin as much as possible and only then start washing. Try not to allow substances to come into contact with intact skin.

electrical burns

We recommend reading:

First aid for burns caused by electrical injury should be started only after a reliable exclusion of the effect of current on the victim and on the rescuer. Turn off the breaker, turn the switch, cut or discard the live wire. Then move the victim to a safe place and only then begin to provide assistance.

The principles of treatment of an electric burn at the prehospital stage do not differ from first aid in case of thermal burn. However, the insidiousness of electrical injury is that its external manifestations can be minimal, while internal damage often becomes catastrophic.

First, it should be determined whether the person is conscious, whether he is breathing, whether he has a pulse. In the absence of these signs, burns should not be looked for, but should be started immediately. Only with the full consciousness of the patient can one deal with a local manifestation of injury - a burn.

Attention! None of your actions should delay the call of an ambulance in case of an electrical injury! Electrical burns are absolutely unpredictable and people die not because of local damage to the skin, but because of severe disorders of the heart and nervous system.

Regardless of the degree of burns, their treatment should begin as early as possible. High-quality assistance provided in the first seconds can alleviate the condition of the victim, improve the course of the disease, prevent the development of complications, and in some cases save a life.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Chemical burns: causes, signs and symptoms, first aid measures and complex therapy
Almost all chemicals are endowed with the necessary power, which can have a destructive effect on the tissues of the human body. Especially strong in this regard are alkalis and concentrated acids. As soon as they begin to affect the human body, they immediately arise chemical burns. First aid with such burns, it provides, first of all, a thorough washing of the affected area with running water, since this is the only way to get rid of the aggressive component. After that, it is recommended to apply a sterile bandage to the affected area. If the chemical component gets into the eyes or a person swallows it, then the very first thing to do is rinse the eye or stomach, and then get the advice of an ambulance doctor.

chemical burn is tissue damage resulting from exposure to salts of heavy metals, acids, caustic liquids, alkalis or any other chemically active components. Arise this kind burns due to safety violations, due to domestic accidents, as a result of derivative injuries or suicide attempts. There are other factors contributing to their development. The severity, as well as the depth of such burns, directly depends on the following factors:

concentration and quantity of the chemical
mechanism of action and strength of the chemical
degree of penetration and duration of exposure to the chemical

According to the depth, as well as the severity of tissue damage, there are four degrees of chemical burns.

First degree (damage to the upper layer of the skin, epidermis). In this case, there is a slight swelling, redness, as well as mild pain at the site of the lesion.

Second degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin). In this case, redness and swelling occur, as well as blisters filled with a clear liquid.

Third degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin, reaching the subcutaneous adipose tissue) is accompanied by the appearance of blisters that are filled with a cloudy liquid or bloody contents. At the same time, there is a violation of sensitivity, that is, a person does not experience pain in the area of the affected area.

fourth degree (damage to all tissues: skin, muscles, tendons).

In most cases, chemical burns are third and fourth degree.

If the burn occurred under the influence of alkalis and acids, then a so-called scab or crust appears at the site of the lesion. The crust that occurs after exposure to alkalis is loose, whitish, soft and does not stand out among the whole tissue by any boundaries. If we compare alkaline liquids with acidic liquids, it is immediately worth noting that the former tend to penetrate much deeper into the tissues, therefore, they cause more significant harm.

In case of acid burns the crust is hard and dry. In addition, it has clearly defined boundaries that distinguish it from healthy areas of the skin. Plus, acid burns are most often superficial.
Color of the affected area skin in the case of a chemical burn is determined by the type of chemical. If the skin has been exposed to sulfuric acid, then initially it becomes white, and only then it becomes brown or gray. If the skin has been burned with nitric acid, then the affected area acquires a yellow-brown or light yellow-green hue. Hydrochloric acid tends to leave yellowish burns, but acetic acid tends to leave an off-white color. With carbolic acid burns, the affected area first becomes white, and only then brown. In the case of a burn with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, the affected area acquires a gray tint.

It should be noted that the skin tissue continues to break down even after the chemical component ceases to come into contact with it, and all because the process of absorption of the chemical in this case does not stop immediately. As a result, it is simply impossible to establish the exact degree of a burn during the first hours or days after the incident. It will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis only after seven to ten days, namely, when the process of suppuration of the resulting crust begins. The danger and severity of this kind of burns is determined by both its area and depth. The larger the area of the lesion, the more dangerous the burn for the life of the patient.

First aid for chemical burns of the skin

First aid in such cases involves: removing the chemical component from the affected area as quickly as possible, reducing the concentration of its residues on the skin by thorough washing with water, and cooling the affected area in order to reduce pain.

In the event of a chemical burn to the skin, the following measures should be taken:

You should immediately remove clothing or jewelry that contains chemical components.
To get rid of the causes of the burn, it is necessary to wash off the chemicals from the skin, while holding the affected area under cold running water for at least a quarter of an hour. If it was not possible to wash the affected area in a timely manner, then the washing time is increased to thirty to forty minutes. Do not try to get rid of chemicals with tampons or wipes moistened with water, as this will cause even more penetration into the skin. If the chemical component is endowed with a powder form, then first you need to remove its remnants from the skin and only after that proceed to washing the affected area. Exceptions to the rule are cases when there is a categorical contraindication for the interaction of a chemical component with water. This applies, for example, to aluminum, since the organic compounds of this substance tend to ignite on contact with water.
If after the first washing a person begins to experience an even stronger burning sensation, then it is recommended to rinse the affected area again with running water for five to six minutes.
As soon as the affected area is washed, you should proceed to neutralize the chemical components. In case of an acid burn, you should use soapy water or a two percent solution of baking soda. It is not difficult to prepare such a solution: you should take two and a half glasses of water and dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in it. In case of an alkali burn, a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid will come to the rescue. The chemical components of lime can be neutralized with a 2% sugar solution. Carbolic acid can be neutralized with milk of lime and glycerin.
You can reduce pain by using a cold, damp cloth or towel that should be applied to the affected area.
After that, we apply a loose bandage made of a clean, dry cloth or a dry sterile bandage to the affected surface.

If the burn is not severe, then it heals without any medication.

With a chemical burn, urgent medical attention is needed in the following cases:

If a person has such signs of shock as blanching of the skin, loss of consciousness, as well as shallow breathing.
If the burn diameter is more than seven and a half centimeters, and it also penetrated deeper than the first layer of the skin.
Chemical damage affected the groin area, legs, eyes, buttocks, face, hands or large joints, as well as the esophagus and oral cavity.
A person experiences very strong pain sensations that cannot be relieved by painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

If you still decide to get expert advice, then do not forget to take dishes with you with the chemical that caused the burn, or detailed description. This will make it possible to neutralize it much faster, which sometimes cannot be done in normal home conditions.

Chemical burns to the eyes

Chemical burns to the eyes are the result of lime, acids, ammonia, alkalis or other chemical components entering the area at work or at home. In fact, burns in this area are extremely dangerous, which is why they require timely access to a specialist doctor. The severity of chemical eye burns is determined by the concentration, temperature, chemical composition, as well as the amount of the substance that provoked the burn. In addition, the general reactivity of the patient's body, the condition of his eyes, as well as the quality and timeliness of first aid are also taken into account. In most cases, with such burns, the patient has the following subjective sensations: lacrimation, fear of light, cutting pains in the eye area. In very severe cases, the patient may lose sight altogether. We note right away that with such burns, not only the eyes are affected, but also the skin around them. It is very important to provide first aid to a person in a timely manner. First of all, he needs to rinse his eyes with plenty of running water as soon as possible. We move the eyelids apart and wash the eye for ten to fifteen minutes. In this case, water is the main neutralizer of chemical components. If the burn is the result of exposure to alkali, then milk can be used instead of water. As soon as the eye is thoroughly washed, take a piece of gauze or bandage and apply a dry bandage. As soon as this is done, immediately take the patient to the doctor.

Chemical burns of the stomach and esophagus

Chemical burns of both stomach and esophagus are the result of deliberate or accidental ingestion of alkalis such as ammonia or concentrated acids such as: battery electrolyte or vinegar essence. The obvious signs of such burns include very strong pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. If the larynx has also been affected, then the patient begins to experience a lack of air. In addition, vomiting makes itself felt, containing in its composition bloody mucus and pieces of burned mucous membrane. Since this kind of burns spread very quickly, the patient needs immediate first aid, which includes, first of all, gastric lavage. It can be washed with a solution of baking soda in case of an acid burn, or with a weak solution of acetic acid in case of an alkali burn. In this case, a person needs to be given to drink not just a large, but a really huge amount of liquid, which will make it possible to completely get rid of the chemical component. With such burns, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible or take the patient to the hospital yourself.

A chemical burn of the skin is damage to body tissues due to interaction with chemically aggressive substances and environments. With mild forms of burns, inflammation and swelling of tissues occur, with more complex forms, a violation of their integrity. The risk of getting a chemical burn increases in industrial conditions (in laboratories, workshops, preparation rooms, etc.). In everyday life, such situations occur much less frequently, but the risks still remain.

Risk factors for chemical skin burns

At home, household chemicals that are regularly used in everyday life can pose a danger:

means for cleaning pipes and toilet bowls;
bleaching preparations;
means for cleaning pools;
gasoline and more.

In industrial conditions, such preparations include salts of heavy metals, chemical reagents, acids, alkalis, aggressive chemical environments, and so on.

Symptoms of chemical burns and their degree

Symptoms of chemical burns depend on the degree and area of tissue damage. In total, there are 4 degrees of severity of burns.

Grade 1 is characterized by damage to the upper layers of the dermis and is accompanied by reddening of the skin, swelling of tissues and painful sensations on palpation.

Grade 2 is expressed by damage to the deeper layers of the dermis with the appearance of blisters filled with liquid exudate on it.

Grade 3 is caused by damage to the fatty layer of the dermis and connective tissue. Due to damage to nerve cells, the sensitivity of tissues at the site of the burn decreases, the pain dulls, the skin becomes whiter. The first signs of tissue necrosis appear.

Grade 4 is characterized by damage not only to soft tissues, but also to bones. Fourth degree burns are the most dangerous and very difficult to treat.

Providing first aid for chemical burns

In case of chemical damage to the skin, it is important to provide timely emergency care to the victim, because the favorable outcome of subsequent treatment depends on this. First aid measures for chemical burns are performed according to the following exemplary algorithm:

Remove clothing from the victim that has been exposed to the chemical.
Cleanse the skin from chemical residues (rinse with plenty of running water).
Cleanse skin with mild soapy water.
Apply a sterile dressing to the wound.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Treatment of chemical burns

Methods of treatment of chemical burns depend on the degree of tissue damage and the area of the burnt surface. Mild (grade 1 and 2) burns can be treated at home with medication and folk remedies. Burns of severe forms (3 and 4 degrees) are treated in a hospital under the strict supervision of medical personnel.

Medical treatment chemical burns is aimed at healing wounds, removing swelling and redness of tissues, restoring the protective functions of the dermis and accelerating regenerative processes. For this purpose, ointments with a healing effect, antiseptic and antimicrobial drugs (to prevent the occurrence of infections in injured areas), hypertonic solutions, bactericidal ointments and fungicidal preparations are used.

Folk remedies for the treatment of chemical burns should cool and heal the skin. Raw potatoes, strong black tea, cucumber juice, potato starch, and more are effective.

Potato Starch Mask

Dilute 3-4 tablespoons of potato starch with warm water to the consistency of sour cream.
Apply to the affected skin with a layer of half a centimeter.
Leave for 20 minutes.
Wash off with cool water.

Tea compress

Brew 2-3 tablespoons of black tea in a teapot.
Insist and cool to room temperature (you can add ice cubes to the tea leaves for a speedy cooling).
Moisten clean gauze in tea leaves, apply to the affected area.
Change compresses as the gauze warms up from the skin.

Prevention

In order to prevent chemical burns in everyday life and at work, attention should be paid to compliance with safety regulations. In everyday life, you should be careful with household chemicals, in industry - conduct safety classes with employees, first aid exercises, and so on.