CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE SKIN

Many chemicals are so strong that they can quickly burn the skin. These types of chemicals are referred to as being "caustic." All chemicals should always be stored out of the reach of children.

Common chemicals that may cause skin burns include:

acids, such as tile cleaners, car battery acid, and swimming pool acids
drain cleaners, such as Drano, Liquid Plumber, and other products with alkali ingredients
gasoline
wet or dry cement
lime and
strong oxidizers, such as chlorine

First aid for skin exposure to a caustic liquid chemical is simple. Rinse it off thoroughly with cool, running water. Continue rinsing for a minimum of 20 minutes. This is often best done with a garden hose or by stepping into a shower. If it is possible, remove contaminated clothing and jewelry while flushing the affected area. Avoid spreading the chemical to other areas of the body.

After rinsing for 20 minutes, call the Poison Control Center for further advice. It helps to have the chemical container with you when this call is made.

If exposed to a powder or dry chemical, carefully brush off the skin. Read the package information for first aid care and call the Poison Control Center.

Do not try to neutralize a chemical. For example, putting an alkali chemical onto skin that has been exposed to an acid will often produce a large amount of heat and may increase the burning.

Do not put any burn medication onto the burned skin. Salves, grease, or butter may hold the chemical to the area, increasing the exposure. Do not apply a bandage until told to do so by a healthcare provider.

Seek emergency medical help if:

the burn victim is having trouble breathing, seizures, or is unresponsive
the injured area is bleeding or
the chemical burn is on the face, feet, hands, groin, buttocks, or over a major joint

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File PREP4904.rf2 VRS# 4904 Data Version 7.0