First aid for chemical burns

Chemical burns occur as a result of exposure to the skin and / or mucous chemical active substances: acids, alkalis or salts of heavy metals. The depth of the burn and the rules of first aid will depend on the substance that caused the burn.

So, burns with acid usually not too deep: the acid has a coagulating effect, so the burn is quickly covered with a scab that prevents further penetration of the acid. And the more concentration of acid, the faster the scab is formed and the less deep the burn turns out. Burns with heavy metal salts are also superficial and resemble burns with acid. And here alkali does not cause protein coagulation, so it penetrates deep enough into the tissue, causing deep burns.

In everyday life, chemical burns are usually caused by washing, cleaning, dyeing agents, lime. Providing first aid for chemical burns, it is very important to consider, which substance caused the burn, otherwise you can not only not help, but make it worse.

First of all, it is necessary to remove clothes, impregnated with chemical substance, from the victim, and at least 20 minutes wash the burn spot with running water. If, after washing the wound, the burning sensation in the burn place does not vanish, but intensifies, for a few more minutes, rinse the burned area with running water.

Do not flush the substance that caused the burn, a tissue, a napkin or a swab, since there is a risk of rubbing it into the skin and aggravating the burn. With a tampon or cotton wool, only the solid particles of chemicals that are trapped on the affected areas are gently removed.

but in no case can the water be washed with lime after lime: when lime comes into contact with water, reaction occursand this will only exacerbate the defeat. In case of burn after lime, remove all lime with a dry cloth and treat the affected area with vegetable oil.

After washing, it is necessary to neutralize the action of the chemical substance if possible. Remember one rule: Acid burns are neutralized by alkaline solutions, burns with alkali - acid. Therefore, with burns with acid (except hydrofluoric acid)the skin should be washed with soapy water or apply a lotion (bandage) with a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per 1 tbsp water). And for burns with alkali, the burn site is treated with a solution of boric or citric acid (1/2 tsp per 1 tbsp water) or table vinegar (1 tsp vinegar per 1 tbsp water).

Lime burns neutralize with 20% solution of sugar, burns with carbolic acid - glycerin and lime milk. When burn with hydrofluoric acid (aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride), the affected area should be rinsed for several hours under running water, until the whitened skin turns red.

After processing place a sterile bandage on the burn site. To relieve pain, you can use non-prescription analgesics, for example, ibuprofen.

When chemical burns of the eyes or oral cavity with splashes or vapors of chemicals you should proceed as follows. When burned with acid, the affected areas are washed with a large amount of water, and then with a solution of baking soda (1/2 tsp to 1 cup of water). When burned with alkali, the affected areas are also abundantly washed with water, and then with a solution of boric acid (1/2 tsp per 1 of water).

Minor chemical skin burns usually do not need further treatment and heal themselves. but it is necessary to immediately deliver the victim to the nearest medical institution or call an ambulance in one of the following cases:

• 
  The burn is deep, its area is more than 7.5 cm in diameter;
• 
  The burn affected the face, eyes, two limbs, the groin area, buttocks, large joint, as well as the oral cavity and esophagus (when using the chemical inside);
• 
  There are symptoms of shock: pallor, shallow breathing, loss of consciousness;
• 
  severe pain that analgesics do not relieve.

Desirable take with you to the medical institution a sample of the substance that caused the burn: this will simplify the treatment. Remember that timely assistance with chemical burns will help to significantly reduce the damage caused by chemical substances and facilitate treatment, so everyone should know the rules of its rendering.