Chemical burns may injure the surface of the skin as well as internal organs of the body. A chemical reaction or burn may not be immediately recognizable. Symptoms of a chemical burn on the skin include redness, swelling, rash and blisters. Many chemical burns are treated at home; yet, some are more severe and medical attention is required. Immediately calling 911 is essential if a person displays signs of difficulty breathing, seizing or remains unconscious.
First Aid Treatment
Patients should remove all clothing as quickly as possible; however, making sure the chemical does not touch unaffected skin remains critical. The skin is placed under running water for about 15 to 30 minutes to eliminate all chemical residues. Copious amounts of water are recommended--rinsing dry chemicals off the skin with only small amounts of water may increase the chemical reaction and cause additional burns or complications, advises Penn State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Eyes contaminated with chemicals should be rinsed from the inner portion of the eye outwards; it is important for the chemical to not run into the opposite eye while a patient is flushing the burned eye. Eyes affected by chemical burns must be examined immediately by medical professionals. Because each chemical is different, patients should read the chemical's container for specific treatment guidelines. Patients should take the container with them when seeking medical treatment so medical professionals are aware of specific ingredients causing the burn. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the burn is larger than 2 or 3 inches in length.
Protection and Comfort
Chemical burns should be covered with clean sterile bandages or gauze to decrease infection. Cool, moist compresses are also beneficial to reduce pain. A medical ice pack, bag of ice chips or even bag of frozen vegetables will also soothe the area and reduce pain associated with the chemical burn. Patients should avoid any pressure or friction from further irritating the chemical burn. Over-the-counter pain medications including ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen can decrease the discomfort. MayoClinic.com recommends a tetanus shot to patients who have not received one in five years. Patients may require a prescription of antibiotics if the injury is severe to decrease the risk of infection.
Invasive Treatment
Though most chemical burns are mild, extensive chemical burns may cause the body to lose large amounts of water and become severely dehydrated. Intravenous fluids are administered to hydrate the injured body. Fluids are pushed through a small tube inserted into a vein. Respiratory distress may require a patient to be administered supplemental oxygen via a breathing mask or nasal cannula. Severe shortness of breath requires intubation; a tube is inserted into the patient's mouth and air is blown into the lungs to assist the body's respiration.
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