First Aid for Chemical Burns

First aid for chemical burns has become an important topic as the years have gone by.

Everyday we are being exposed to more and more chemicals in our daily lives.

Chemical burns can occur anywhere in the home, at work or school. And it's not what you think. A chemical burn does not have to be a toxic substance that spills on the freeway that you might come in contact with accidently.

Many chemical burns come from the misuse of products in your home. Things you use on your hair, face or nails as well as cleaning agents you have in your house.

Most chemical burns that occur do not result in death but many of these substances can cause serious harm. Common sense precautions and consumer education can reduce your family's risk of injury.First aid for chemical burns starts with awareness.

Chemical burn statistics: In 2003, the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reported 22,000 cases of acid exposures, 50,500 cases of alkali exposures, 16,272 cases of peroxide exposures, and 54,300 cases of bleach exposures. During that time, 2322 cases of exposure to phenols or phenol products were reported.

Here we'll give you a quick run down on the four most common types of chemical burns, what to look for and a little first aid for chemical burns.

This page is available as a quick reference PDF file called First Aid for Chemical Burns.

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The 4 Common Sources of Chemical Burns

Acids:

• Sulfuric acid: commonly used in toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, metal cleaners, automobile battery fluid, munitions, and fertilizer manufacturing.
• Nitric acid: engraving, metal refining, electroplating, and fertilizer manufacturing.
• Hydrofluoric acid: commonly used in; rust removers, tire cleaners, tile cleaners, glass etching. As well as in the making of dental work, tanning, semiconductors, refrigerant, fertilizer manufacturing, and petroleum refining. This is actually a weak acid, and, in a diluted form, it will not cause immediate burning and pain on contact.
• Hydrochloric acid: commonly used in toilet bowl cleaners, metal cleaners, soldering fluxes, dye manufacturing, metal refining, plumbing applications, swimming pool cleaners, and laboratory chemicals.
• Phosphoric acid: commonly used in metal cleaners, rust proofing, disinfectants, detergents, and fertilizer manufacturing
• Acetic acid: commonly used in printing, dyes, rayon and hat manufacturing, disinfectants and hair wave neutralizers. Vinegar is diluted acetic acid.
• Formic acid: commonly used in airplane glue, tanning, and cellulose manufacturing
• Chloroacetic acid: there are monochloroacetics and dichloroacetics. Used in the production of pigments and some drugs.
• Trichloroacetic acid: used in laboratories and in chemical manufacturing.
• Phenol and Cresols: used in the manufacturing of resins, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and disinfectants. As well as wood preservatives, degreasing agents, and chemical intermediates. It is important to receive first aid for chemical burns caused by these substances. As they are very irritating to the skin and can be absorbed through the skin and cause systemic toxicity.

Alkalis:

• Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide: used in drain cleaners, oven cleaners, Clinitest tablets, and denture cleaners. They are extremely corrosive.
• Calcium Hydroxide: also known as slaked lime. It is used in mortar, plaster, and cement. It is not as caustic as NaOH, KOH, or calcium oxide.
• Sodium and Calcium Hypochlorite: are common ingredients in household bleach and pool chlorinating solution.
• Calcium Oxide: also known as lime, is the caustic ingredient in cement. It generates heat when diluted with water and can produce a thermal or caustic burn.
• Ammonia: used in cleaners and detergents. The diluted form is not highly corrosive.
• Phosphates: used in many types of household detergents and cleaners.
• Silicates: they are used to replace phosphates in detergents. Dishwashing detergents are alkaline, primarily to builders such as silicates and carbonates. They are moderately corrosive.
• Sodium Bicarbonate: used in detergents.
• Lithium Hydride: used to absorb carbon dioxide in space technology applications. OK, granted you might not run into this one everyday but it does round out your education on alkalis and first aid for chemical burns.

Oxidants:

• Bleaches: Chlorates are the primary chemicals used as bleaches in the United States.
• Peroxides: Household-grade hydrogen peroxide (3%), produces minimal to no skin irritation. Concentrations of 10% may cause paresthesias and blanching of the skin. Concentrations of 35% or more will cause immediate blistering.
• Chromates: Used in tanning, waterproofing fabrics, corrosion inhibitor, painting, and printing.
• Manganates: Diluted used in solutions as a disinfectant or sanitizing agent.

Other Substances:

• White Phosphorus: This chemical is used as an incendiary in the manufacture of munitions, fireworks, and fertilizer. After explosions of munitions or fireworks, small particles of phosphorus can become embedded in the skin and continue to smolder.
• Metals: Elemental lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium react violently with water, including water on the skin.

Treatments

Please note that a chemical burn might be serious due to the nature of the corrosive or irritating chemicals on the skin.

A chemical burn on the skin can be deeper and larger than the burn first appears. Monitor your burn closely and seek medical help if you experience any severe symptoms or pain that cannot be alleviated.

• First aid for chemical burns begins with ending the exposure.
• Contaminated clothing should be removed, and the affected area should be flushed thoroughly under cold running water for 20 minutes. Be careful not to let the run-off water contaminate other parts of the body. Gently brush away any solid material. Immediate irrigation can reduce the depth and size of the burn.
• Acid burns can be washed with a mild soap and water solution. Then apply a Calcium Gluconate Gel. This is a neutralizing gel for hydrofluoric acid. If you don't have this on hand wash with copious amounts of water.
• Alkali burns can be washed with a mild vinegar solution. If you do not have vinegar on hand then wash with copious amounts of water.
• After all contaminates have been removed assess the burns. Treat first aid for chemical burns according to the guidelines on First Aid for Burns.

  Or if you prefer you can download a copy of the guidelines as a PDF.
  Just click here.

Special Situations

• Elemental Metals: If contamination with metallic lithium, sodium, potassium, or magnesium has occurred, irrigation with water can result in a chemical reaction that causes burns to worsen. In these situations, the area should be covered with mineral oil and the metallic pieces should be removed with tweezers and placed in mineral oil. If forceps are not available, soak the area with mineral oil and cover it with gauze soaked in mineral oil.
• White phosphorus: Thoroughly irrigate the area with water then cover the area with water-soaked gauze. Keep the area moist at all times. The area can also be covered with petroleum jelly.
• Phenol and Cresols: are more easily removed with polyethylene glycol or isopropyl alcohol. If skin damage has already occurred, isopropyl alcohol may be very irritating.

Last Things

They have some wonderful articles on first aid for chemical burns. Very informative and in-depth, it's written for doctors and professionals so it can be a little technical but still accessible to laypeople.
Here is a good article to start with.

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