Burns-Chemical burns: its cause, diagnose and first aid treatment
Contact with strong corrosives and chemicals like acids and alkalis cause chemical buns. There is localized irritation and tissue damage. The severity of the damage caused by strong acids and alkalis depends on amount, and duration of contact with the corrosive.
The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
- There is of contact with the corrosive. Its bottle may be found nearby
- There is a burning sensation on the skin.
- It may appear stained or reddened.
- Blistering and peeling may develop later on.
First Aid
- Wash the affected area with slowly running cold water for about 10 minutes to remove all corrosive substances. Add sodium bicarbonate to the in an acid bum. Add vinegar to the water in case of an alkali burn.
- Remove phosphorus particles from the wound with forceps.
- Remove any contaminated clothing gently while washing the area.
Specific chemical agents are used to treat corrosive bums caused by specific agents, because they neutralize the chemical actions of the corrosive agents. Various corrosive agents and the chemical agents used to treat bums caused by them are shown in the following table.
Specific Agents for Treating Corrosive Burns
Corrosive agent Treatment
Hydrochloric acid phenol (carbolic acid) – Benzalkonium chloride. Polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or glycerol.
White phosphorus – Copper sulfate 0.5 – 1 %
