Providing first emergency first aid for chemical burns with acid, alkali and other substances. Rules for first aid for chemical burns How to provide assistance to chemical burns

5086 2018-07-15

Providing first aid for chemical skin burns

First aid for chemical skin burns includes: prompt removal of the chemical from the affected surface, reducing the concentration of its residues on the skin by rinse with copious amounts of water, cooling the affected areas to reduce pain.

In case of a chemical burn to the skin, take the following measures:

Immediately remove clothing or jewelry that has come in contact with chemicals.
To eliminate the cause of the burn, rinse the chemicals from the surface of the skin by running the affected area under running water for at least 20 minutes. If help for a chemical burn is provided with some delay, the duration of washing is increased to 30-40 minutes.
Do not try to remove chemicals with wipes soaked in water from the affected area of skin - this will rub the chemical into the skin even more.
If the aggressive substance that caused the burn has a powdery structure (for example, lime), then you should first remove the remaining chemical substance and only then begin to wash the burned surface. The exception is when, due to the chemical nature of the agent, contact with water is contraindicated. For example, aluminum, when combined with water, it ignites.
If the burning sensation intensifies after first washing the wound, rinse the burned area again with running water for a few more minutes.
After washing a chemical burn, it is necessary to neutralize the effect of chemicals if possible. If you are burned by acid, wash the damaged area of skin with soapy water or a 2 percent solution of baking soda (this is 1 spoon of baking soda per 2.5 glasses of water) to neutralize the acid.
If you are burned by alkali, wash the damaged area of skin with a weak solution of acid or vinegar. For lime burns, a 20% sugar solution is used to neutralize.
Carbolic acid is neutralized by glycerin and limestone.
Apply a cool, damp cloth or towel to the affected area to relieve pain.
Then cover the burned area with a loose bandage of a dry, sterile bandage or clean, dry cloth.

Minor chemical skin burns usually heal without further treatment.

If you have a chemical burn, seek emergency care medical care, If:

The victim has signs of shock (loss of consciousness, pallor, superficial appearance).
The chemical burn has spread deeper than the first layer of skin and covers an area with a diameter of more than 7.5 cm.
A chemical burn affects the eyes, arms, legs, face, groin area, buttocks or large area, as well as the oral cavity and esophagus (if the victim drank a chemical substance).
The victim experiences severe pain that cannot be relieved with over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

When going to the emergency room, take a container of chemical or detailed description substances for its identification. The known nature of the chemical substance makes it possible, when providing care in a hospital, to neutralize it, which is usually difficult to do in domestic conditions.

Chemical burns to the eyes

Chemical burns to the eyes occur when acids, alkalis, lime, ammonia and other aggressive chemicals in everyday or industrial conditions. All chemical eye burns are considered severe eye injuries and therefore require immediate examination and treatment by a doctor.

The severity of eye burns depends on chemical composition, concentration, quantity and temperature of the substance that caused the burn, on the condition of the victim’s eyes and the general reactivity of the body, as well as on the timeliness and quality of first aid to the victim. Regardless of the type of chemical, eye burns are usually accompanied by severe subjective sensations: photophobia, cutting pain in the eye and lacrimation, and in severe cases, loss of vision. At the same time, the skin around the eyes is affected.

First aid for chemical burns to the eye should be provided immediately. The main measure in providing first aid for chemical burns to the eyes is immediate and abundant rinsing of the eyes with running water. Open the eyelids and rinse the eye for 10-15 minutes with a gentle stream of running water to remove the chemical.

You should not waste time searching for a neutralizer, since abundantly washing your eyes with running water is much more effective. For burns caused by alkalis, milk can be used for rinsing. After rinsing, apply a dry bandage (a piece of bandage or gauze). But most importantly, in all cases of chemical eye burns, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach

Chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach occur due to accidental or intentional (purposeful) ingestion of concentrated acids (acetic essence, battery electrolyte) or alkalis (ammonia). The main symptoms of chemical burns of the digestive organs are severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach. If the upper part of the larynx is burned at the same time, patients begin to choke.

Vomiting appears with bloody mucus and fragments of burnt mucous membrane. Due to the rapid spread of the burn across digestive tract first aid should be provided as early as possible. First aid for chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach consists of neutralizing the chemical agents. For burns with alkalis, the stomach is washed with a weak solution of acetic acid, and for burns with acids - with a solution of baking soda. Be sure to rinse the stomach with large quantities of liquid, ensuring complete removal of the chemical agent that caused the burn. A victim with a burn to the esophagus or stomach should be sent to a medical center or hospital as soon as possible.

Chemical burns can cause irreparable harm to human health.

Therefore, it is very important to be able to provide first aid to the victim. In most cases, the degree of damage and the consequences of the burn will depend on this.

It is important to understand the significant difference between chemical and thermal burns. For burns caused by chemical reagents, it is necessary to clearly know the antidotes that neutralize the effects of a particular chemical reagent. What to do in case of a chemical burn? How to treat a chemical burn? Is it possible to treat a chemical burn at home? Let's talk about everything in order - in this collection of material.

Chemical skin burn: features, symptoms, diagnosis

A chemical burn is a violation of the integrity of the tissues of the human body under the influence of chemical agents.

This type of burn often becomes more dangerous than a thermal burn. This is due to the type of aggressive chemical substance and the duration of action of the reagent. The process of cell destruction and chemical absorption may continue even after the chemical component is eliminated, which often makes it difficult to determine the extent of the damage in a timely manner.

Chemical burns occur as a result of non-compliance with safety regulations when working with chemicals or in accidents at home (intentionally or through negligence).

The external symptoms of chemical burns differ depending on the effect of the chemical substance. Most often, acidic or alkaline drugs become the source of damage.

When skin is exposed to alkali , the resulting scab is looser, with blurred boundaries. Alkaline liquids are able to penetrate deeper into the skin than acids, causing more extensive damage to soft tissues.
When exposed to acid skin, A dense, dry crust (eschar) with clear contours forms at the site of the lesion.

Burns caused by exposure chemical acids, in most cases are superficial. The name of the affected acid can be determined by the color of the affected skin.

Upon contact with sulfuric acid, the skin first becomes white, then turns gray. At prolonged contact the burn takes on a darker, brown tint.
Effect on skin nitric acid leads to a change in the skin to a yellow-green or brown-yellow color (depending on the duration of contact).
After exposure of hydrochloric acid , the skin turns noticeably yellow.
Burn caused acetic acid, becomes dark brown in color.
Carboxylic acid causes whitening of the damaged skin area, which over time changes to a brown color.

The degree of damage can be diagnosed as accurately as possible only after a few days (when the scab area begins to suppurate). The longer the effect of chemical components on body tissue and the larger the affected area, the more dangerous the burn is for human health and life. Therefore, in case of chemical burns, it is very important to provide first aid to the victim, and then immediately seek qualified medical assistance.

It is in the hospital that, based on the nature of the existing injuries, the depth of penetration, the concentration of the chemical reagent and the duration of its exposure, the degree of the resulting chemical burn will be determined and treatment will be prescribed.

No less dangerous is the general toxic poisoning of the body by an aggressive chemical component. That is why it is sometimes so difficult to diagnose from an area of damaged skin all the negative effects of the reagent on the human body and possible consequences.

In addition to skin damage, chemical burns can damage the eyes or internal organs, in particular the gastrointestinal tract. Areas of the body with thin skin (face, skin folds, genital area) are more affected, since the thickness of the epidermis there is the smallest.

Degrees of chemical burns

There are 4 main degrees of chemical burns.

Idegree

Only the top layer of skin is affected, and there is slight swelling and redness of the area. The burn is accompanied by moderate pain; treatment is carried out at home.

IIdegree

With a second degree burn, not only the top layer of the skin is damaged, but also the lower tissues. The burn is accompanied by swelling, redness and the appearance of blisters with clear serous fluid. The level of pain and sensitivity becomes higher than in the first degree, but with a small burn area, the patient does not need hospitalization.

IIIdegree

There is deep tissue damage and necrosis, right down to the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Small blisters with cloudy liquid, sometimes with blood, appear at the damaged area. The sensitivity of the skin is significantly reduced and the patient practically does not feel pain at the burn site. The victim needs hospitalization, since spontaneous healing of the wound often becomes impossible.

IVdegree

The most dangerous degree, in which not only skin and muscle tissues, but also tendons and bones are deeply affected. Surgical care is provided in an inpatient hospital setting.

Rules for the treatment of chemical burns

There are a number of rules, the use of which in emergency situations will help to significantly alleviate the condition of the victim and reduce the effect of the reagent on the body.

First aid for chemical burns should be provided without delay or fuss. You need to act calmly and judiciously. How well and correctly first aid is provided to the victim will determine the success of further treatment.
It is especially important to know the rules of first aid for people working with chemicals. Indeed, in such situations, the risks of getting a chemical injury are much greater.

Knowledge of the basic antidotes listed below will help to quickly neutralize the active substance.
After receiving first aid, the patient must consult a doctor to eliminate possible negative consequences after a burn.
The main rule of first aid is not to harm the victim.
The key rules for treating chemical burns, in addition to providing qualified first aid to the victim, boil down to drying the wound, treating it with antiseptics (to prevent suppuration) and using drugs that improve blood circulation and tissue regeneration processes.

First aid for a chemical burn

First aid for chemical burns can radically change the subsequent treatment process, both for the better and for the worse. Therefore, before providing assistance to the victim, you need to be 100% confident in your knowledge so as not to harm the injured person.

First of all, in case of a chemical burn, it is important to stop the action of the chemical agent. Therefore, if the substance gets on clothing, it must be removed or cut immediately.
If there are remnants of powdered chemicals on the skin, they are first shaken off the skin and only then the remnants are washed off.
The damaged area of the skin is thoroughly washed with running water, thereby reducing the concentration of the chemical, the depth of its penetration, cooling the skin and reducing pain. The wound should be washed for 10 to 30 minutes.

The exception is burns caused by alkali, quicklime, and organoaluminum compounds!

If the burn is caused by acid, affected area of skin washed with 1-2% soda solution, and then apply a tampon soaked in ammonia solution(alcohol is diluted with water). You cannot “extinguish” a burn with an alkali solution - this will lead to a new burn, only one already caused by the alkali. The action of dilute acid is more dangerous than concentrated acid. This is due to the fact that highly concentrated acid instantly causes protein coagulation, forming a dense scab, preventing the burn from deepening. Exposure of the skin to highly toxic hydrofluoric acid, used, for example, for etching glass, is especially dangerous.
Alkali burn dangerous due to its rapid penetration deep into tissues. Such a burn Do not immediately rinse with water. The hydroxyl group of the alkali under the influence of water will contribute to deeper penetration of the chemical into human tissue. Affected area of skin washed with 1-2% solution of acetic or citric acid (not concentrated).
Burn caused by quicklime Also cannot be treated with water, since the interaction produces slaked lime (a strong base). In this situation better place Apply grease to the burn and consult a doctor.
Burn caused by pesticides and herbicides, process ethyl alcohol or gasoline. After providing first aid, the victim should be taken to the hospital for administration of an antidote.
Burn area caused by phosphorus, immerse completely in water to prevent spontaneous combustion of the reagent. After this, having removed the phosphorus particles present on the skin, apply a bandage soaked in a weak solution. potassium permanganate.

Phenolic burn neutralized by solution alcohol or vodka.

After washing and neutralizing the chemical reagent, apply to the burn site sterile dry dressing.

Cotton wool cannot be used for bandaging!

In case of severe pain, the patient can be given painkiller medicine.
Before the ambulance arrives, the victim needs to drink as much liquid as possible (for example, tea or mineral water).

Treatment of chemical burns

The main rule for treating chemical burns, including at home, is to use medicines only after consultation and examination by a doctor. For safety and positive effect, you should not self-medicate, risking your health and life.
To treat chemical burns to the skin, it is recommended to lubricate the affected area with special medicinal ointments ( Fusiderm, Solcoseryl). Burns caused by chemicals require subsequent cell regeneration and blood supply, which is what the action of the above ointments is aimed at.
Such products also have an excellent restorative, disinfecting, healing and drying effect. drugs, like Bepanten, Panthenol, ichthyol ointment, sea buckthorn oil.
Alcohol-free iodine or preparations containing silver have an antiseptic, disinfectant, drying and analgesic effect.
There are also folk recipes, promoting wound healing after thermal and chemical burns. These include compresses based on medicinal herbs: chamomile, oak bark, hop cones. Having prepared decoctions of these herbs, take a sterile bandage, moisten it and apply it to the wound for 15 minutes. You can prepare a medicinal ointment based on aloe leaves. To do this, take 2-3 aloe leaves, wash them, cut off the thorns and grind them into a “gruel”. Melted fat (pork or interior fat) is added to this mass; after cooling, the ointment is ready for use. Application folk recipes However, it is better to discuss with your doctor.

Xchemical burneyes

Chemical burns of the eye are one of the most difficult aspects from the point of view of treatment in ophthalmology. The danger of such burns is the possible weakening or complete loss of vision. This directly depends on the degree of damage, the depth of penetration and, directly, the type of chemical reagent that gets into the eye.

In practice, a chemical burn of the eye with acid is considered less difficult than contact with an alkaline solution. This is explained by the fact that acids provoke instant coagulation of proteins and, therefore, not deep penetration of the reagent. The exceptions are nitric, sulfuric, and hydrofluoric acids. If alkali gets into the eye, the reagent destroys cells and can lead to tissue necrosis.
Providing first aid for chemical burns of the eye comes down to copious rinsing of the eye and calling an ambulance. It is impossible to provide qualified assistance for such lesions at home.

Xchemical burn of the mouth or esophagus

This type of burn is one of the most difficult to treat and restore.
In such situations, it is impossible to provide first aid by neutralizing the chemical agent. Only if we are talking about a chemical burn of the oral cavity, you can try to rinse the oral mucosa with water before the ambulance arrives (if this is allowed by the type of chemical involved).
The main task of providing first aid for burns digestive system- urgently call an ambulance.

Xfacial burn

The skin of the face is thin and sensitive, and with severe chemical burns, the chemical reagent can disrupt the regenerative function of skin cells, which leads to the formation of scar tissue. From an aesthetic point of view, such “traces” on the face disfigure a person’s appearance and give rise to psychological problems. From a medical point of view, rough scars disrupt the motor and excretory functions of the skin.

Nowadays this has become popular cosmetic procedure like peeling fruit acids. If the dosage and concentration of the acid solution is incorrect, a shallow first-degree chemical burn may also occur. Such a cosmetic burn often requires a subsequent rather long course of treatment.

Thus, chemical burns pose a serious danger to human health and life, and therefore require qualified medical treatment. But, having information about the features different types burns and their treatment, you can provide first aid to the victim in time. Correct and timely actions before the ambulance arrives can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition and contribute to his speedy recovery.

Chemical burn, photo

Video: “First aid for a chemical burn”

Surely you have a certain idea of how to provide assistance for a household burn, meanwhile, not everyone knows what first aid is provided for chemical burns. It should be noted that this type of burn, due to the peculiarities of the effect of chemical components on the tissues of our body, in some cases is much more significant than the household burn we have already noted.

Before moving on to consider those features that are characteristic of chemical burns, we note that first aid for them, first of all, requires washing the affected area using ordinary running water - only it has the proper effect, allowing you to eliminate the aggressive component.

General features of a chemical burn

A chemical burn itself is tissue damage resulting from exposure to acids, heavy metal salts, alkalis and other types of active chemical components. Receiving such burns, as a rule, is a consequence of non-compliance with certain safety rules provided for working with these chemicals, as well as a consequence of domestic accidents, injuries in industrial conditions and suicide attempts. There are also a number of other factors that contribute to the development of chemical burns.

The depth of the resulting chemical burn, as well as the degree of its severity, is determined based on the factors listed below that characterize it in general:

the degree of concentration of the chemical substance and its quantity;
the strength and mechanism of action of the active chemical;
the current degree of penetration of the chemical substance, the duration of its effect.

Degrees of chemical burns

In accordance with the listed factors characterizing a chemical burn, its degree is determined. In particular, there are four of them.

I degree. Only the top layer of the skin is affected. Among the main manifestations that accompany this type of burn are slight swelling and redness of the skin. In addition, mild pain also occurs in the affected area.
II degree. In this case, the lesion affects, in addition to the upper layer of the skin, its deeper layers. A burn of this degree is characterized by manifestations in the form of swelling and redness, in addition, bubbles filled with a transparent liquid also appear.
III degree. Those layers of the skin that are located near the fatty subcutaneous tissue are affected. Characteristics, characteristic of a burn of this degree, consist in the appearance of bubbles with a cloudy liquid or mixed with blood. In the affected area, sensitivity is impaired, that is, the victim does not feel pain within it.
IV degree. The lesion affects all tissues, including skin, muscles and tendons.

As a rule, in practice one has to deal with burns corresponding to III and IV degrees.

Burns with acids and alkalis: characteristic signs and features

If the burn was caused by exposure to an acidic or alkaline liquid, a scab (crust) will form in the affected area. The scab itself is soft and loose, has a whitish tint, and does not stand out against the background of unaffected tissue by its borders. When comparing burns caused by alkaline liquids and burns caused by acidic liquids, it can be noted that alkaline liquids penetrate much deeper than acidic liquids, and accordingly, their degree of impact is more extensive.

An acid burn is characterized by the appearance of a dry and hard crust, which has clear boundaries of the affected area, which makes it stand out against the background of healthy areas of the skin. It is noteworthy that acid burns are mostly superficial.

As for the color of the skin lesion during a chemical burn, it is determined based on the type of the active substance. Thus, exposure to sulfuric acid makes the skin first white, then gray or brown. A nitric acid burn gives the skin a light yellow-green or brownish-yellow hue. A burn with hydrochloric acid makes the affected skin yellowish, a burn with acetic acid makes it dirty brown. If the burn was caused by exposure to carbolic acid, the affected area first becomes white, a little later - brown, and if we are talking about a type of burn such as a burn with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, then the affected area becomes gray.

One more important point is that the destruction of skin tissue occurs even after the connection with the chemical component is eliminated, that is, the absorption of the chemical substance continues up to a certain point. For this reason, accuracy in determining the degree of burn during the first few hours (days) from the moment of injury is excluded as a possibility.

Accordingly, an accurate diagnosis can be made only after 7-10 days - that is, by the time the resulting crust begins to fester. The severity and danger of chemical burns is determined based on the area of the lesion and its depth, therefore, the larger the area of the lesion, the more dangerous this burn is for the health and life of the victim.

First aid for chemical burns

Clothing and jewelry in the affected area, which have also been exposed to chemical components, are removed.
To get rid of the causes of a chemical burn affecting the skin, you should, as we have already indicated, wash off the chemicals from it with running water. Note that if this is possible, the affected area must be kept under running water for about 15 minutes or more. If timely removal of the affecting component was not carried out, then the duration of subsequent washing should be half an hour or more.
It is impossible to get rid of the affecting chemical substance using napkins or cotton swabs moistened with water - this will only lead to increased penetration.
When the active chemical is in powder form, its residue is first removed from the skin, after which it is washed. The only exception in this situation is the categorical prohibition of interaction of such a substance with water. In particular, this is true for aluminum - an organic compound of this substance upon contact with water leads to ignition.
If the burning sensation intensifies after washing the affected area, you should rinse it again (about 5 minutes).
After washing the affected area, they begin to neutralize the affecting chemical components. If we are talking about an acid burn, then a 2% solution is used. baking soda(2.5 cups of water + 1 tsp baking soda) or soapy water. In case of alkali burn, use a weak solution of citric acid or vinegar. When exposed to the chemical components of lime, a 2% sugar solution is used. Neutralization of carbolic acid is carried out using lime milk and glycerin.
Reducing pain is achieved by using a damp, cold cloth/towel applied to the affected area.
Finally, a loose bandage (without the possibility of squeezing) made of dry, clean cloth or dry bandage/gauze is applied to the area affected by the chemical attack.

When does a chemical burn require emergency medical care?

Undoubtedly, first aid for chemical burns immediately after injury is more than important, but in some cases it is still impossible to do without qualified assistance. It is necessary in the following situations:

the appearance of signs of shock in the victim (loss of consciousness, shallow breathing, pale skin);
the total diameter of the lesion exceeds 7.5 cm and its penetration is noted deeper than the first layer of skin;
in case of chemical damage, the areas of the legs, groin, face, buttocks, arms, large joints, mouth or esophagus were exposed;
the appearance of significant pain in the victim that is not eliminated by the use of painkillers.

Burns are probably the most severe type of injury other than falling from a height. The most common types of damage are thermal damage (boiling water, hot objects, or open flames), although there may be other causes. Any more or less deep or large burn is a very serious injury that requires the constant attention of doctors.

Types of burns

According to the type of factor that caused the damage, they are divided into:

thermal caused by contact with hot objects, hot water or open flame;
chemical associated with contact with the skin and mucous membranes of various chemicals, most often acids or alkalis;
electric, arising under the influence of electric current;
radial, in which the main damaging factor is radiation (solar, radiation).

There is a second classification - according to the depth of tissue damage. It is important for determining the patient’s treatment tactics and prognosis of the outcome of the burn.

For thermal burns, depending on the depth of tissue damage, the following are distinguished:

I degree - burns in which the skin only turns red;
II degree – burns manifested by the appearance of blisters with transparent contents;
IIIA degree with the appearance of blood in the blisters;
IIIB degree with damage to all layers of the skin;
IV degree – burns in which the soft fabrics located under the skin (fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones).

First aid is necessary for any degree of injury, since even the mildest injury is accompanied by severe pain. In addition, even after the cessation of exposure to heat on the skin, destructive processes in it can continue for quite a long time, aggravating the injury.

Life-threatening burns

Of course, not every burn poses a serious danger to the life of the victim. However, underestimating their severity can lead to serious consequences. People are subject to mandatory hospitalization if:

superficial burns of more than 20% of the body (for children and the elderly - 10%);
third degree burns covering 5% of the body surface;
burns of the second degree and higher, located in shockogenic zones: the perineum, face, hands and feet, the most important ligaments;
electrical injuries;
combinations of skin burns with thermal damage to the respiratory tract;
exposure to chemicals.

First aid for burns

Regardless of the cause of the burn, first aid should begin immediately. Every second aggravates the degree of damage, increases its area and depth, and worsens the prognosis for the victim.

First aid for thermal burns

The first principle is to stop exposing the skin to heat:

remove the victim from the hot water;
extinguish the flame by throwing a blanket, coat over the person, dousing with water, throwing snow and sand; the victim can put out the flames by rolling on the ground;
remove a person from under a stream of boiling water or hot steam.

First stage. Remove all smoldering clothing and jewelry from the victim, cutting them with scissors if necessary. The only exception is do not try to peel off synthetic items that have melted and stuck to the skin. They should be cut off, leaving the adherent parts in the wound.

Second phase- cooling of affected surfaces. To do this, use running water (best) or apply plastic bags or hot water bottles with snow, ice, cold water. Cooling helps reduce pain and also prevents further damage to deep-lying tissues. It should be carried out for at least 10-15 minutes, but no measures should slow down the transportation of the victim to the hospital. If it is impossible to cool the affected tissue, the burn site should be left open for 10-15 minutes without bandaging - this will allow it to be cooled by the surrounding air.

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to open bubbles, no matter how scary they may seem. While the blisters are intact, the skin prevents infection from penetrating deep into the tissue. After opening them, microorganisms will enter the wound surface, causing infection and worsening the course of the injury.

At the third stage The burn surfaces are bandaged. To do this, use sterile dressings, generously moistened with an antiseptic solution (not iodine-based). Panthenol helps very well, which needs to be sprayed completely over the entire surface. For burns on the arms and legs, the burned fingers should be separated with gauze separators.

If no antiseptic is available, the dressings can be left dry. This is better than leaving the wound open and risking infection.

Attention!Never lubricate burns with fat, oil, cream, egg yolk and other substances that are recommended by people and the Internet! The result will be disastrous - fats form a film on the wound, through which heat is less able to escape. In addition, they impair the penetration into tissues of drugs that will be used to treat a person in a hospital. Finally, as a result of such “grandmother’s methods”, rougher scars are formed.

Fourth stage providing first aid for burns at home - pain relief. Doctors use narcotic analgesics for this, but at home you can give the victim analgin, baralgin, ketorol, dexalgin - any sufficiently strong painkiller. You can also numb the pain locally if you have special anti-burn wipes in your home, soaked in antiseptic and local anesthetic.

Fifth stage– correction of fluid loss. To do this, if the victim is conscious and does not have nausea or vomiting, he should be given tea, water, or fruit juice in a volume of 0.5-1 liters. Even if he doesn’t want to drink, try to persuade him: this will replenish fluid loss through the burn surface and prevent the development of the most dangerous complication– burn shock.

For chemical burns, first aid is provided to almost the same extent. The only difference is that the cessation of exposure to the harmful factor on the skin is carried out by washing off the chemical substance with a strong stream of water, preferably running.

Attention! Do not try to neutralize an acid with an alkali or vice versa, and do not use baking soda. The release of heat can make the burn combined (chemical + thermal), and the inevitable error in proportion will only aggravate the burn.

If the burn occurred under the influence of dry bulk substances, shake them off the skin as much as possible and only then begin rinsing. Try to avoid contact of substances with intact skin.

Electrical burns

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First aid for burns caused by electrical trauma should be started only after the impact of current on the victim and the rescuer has been reliably excluded. Turn off the breaker, turn the breaker, cut or discard the live wire. Then move the victim to a safe place and only then begin providing assistance.

The principles of treating an electrical burn at the prehospital stage do not differ from first aid for a thermal burn. However, the insidiousness of electrical trauma is that its external manifestations can be minimal, while internal damage often becomes catastrophic.

First, you should determine whether the person is conscious, whether he is breathing, whether he has a pulse. In the absence of these signs, you should not look for burns, but start immediately. Only when the patient is fully conscious can one deal with the local manifestation of injury - a burn.

Attention! Nothing you do should delay calling an ambulance in case of electrical injury! Electrical burns are completely unpredictable and people die not because of local damage to the skin, but because of severe disturbances in the functioning of the heart and nervous system.

Regardless of the degree of burns, treatment should begin as early as possible. High-quality assistance provided in the first seconds can alleviate the condition of the victim, improve the course of the disease, prevent the development of complications, and in some cases, save lives.

A chemical skin burn is damage to body tissues due to interaction with chemically aggressive substances and environments. In mild forms of burns, inflammation and swelling of tissues occur; in more complex forms, their integrity is damaged. The risk of getting a chemical burn increases in industrial conditions (in laboratories, workshops, preparation rooms, etc.). In everyday life, such situations arise much less frequently, but the risks still remain.

Risk factors for chemical skin burns

At home, products can be dangerous household chemicals that are regularly used in everyday life:

cleaning products for pipes and toilets;
whitening preparations;
pool cleaning products;
gasoline and so on.

In industrial conditions, such drugs include salts of heavy metals, chemical reagents, acids, alkalis, aggressive chemical environments, etc.

Symptoms of chemical burns and their degrees

Symptoms of chemical burns depend on the degree and area of tissue damage. In total, there are 4 degrees of severity of burns.

Grade 1 is characterized by damage to the upper layers of the dermis and is accompanied by redness of the skin, tissue swelling and pain on palpation.

Grade 2 is expressed by damage to the deeper layers of the dermis with the appearance of blisters filled with liquid exudate.

Grade 3 is caused by damage to the fatty layer of the dermis and connective tissue. Due to damage to nerve cells, the sensitivity of the tissue at the burn site decreases, the pain dulls, and the skin becomes whiter. The first signs of tissue necrosis appear.

Grade 4 is characterized by damage not only to soft tissues, but also to bones. Fourth degree burns are the most dangerous and very difficult to treat.

Providing first aid for chemical burns

In case of chemical damage to the skin, it is important to provide emergency assistance to the victim in a timely manner, since the favorable outcome of subsequent treatment depends on this. First aid measures for chemical burns are carried out according to the following approximate algorithm:

Remove the victim's clothing that has come into contact with the chemical.
Clear skin from chemical residues (rinse with plenty of running water).
Clean the skin with a mild soap solution.
Apply a sterile napkin to the wound.
Seek medical help from specialists as soon as possible.

Treatment of chemical burns

Treatment methods for chemical burns depend on the degree of tissue damage and the area of the burned surface. Mild burns (grade 1 and 2) can be treated at home using medications and folk remedies. Severe burns (3rd and 4th degrees) are treated in a hospital setting under the strict supervision of medical personnel.

Drug treatment chemical burns is aimed at healing wounds, removing swelling and redness of tissues, restoring the protective functions of the dermis and accelerating regenerative processes. For this purpose, ointments with a healing effect, antiseptic and antimicrobial drugs (to prevent infections in injured areas), hypertonic solutions, bactericidal ointments and fungicidal drugs are used.

Folk remedies for the treatment of chemical burns should cool and heal the skin. Raw potatoes, strong brewed black tea, cucumber juice, potato starch, etc. are effective.

Potato starch mask

Dilute 3-4 tablespoons of potato starch with warm water to the consistency of sour cream.
Apply a layer of half a centimeter to the affected skin.
Leave for 20 minutes.
Rinse off with cool water.

Tea compress

Brew 2-3 tablespoons of black tea in a teapot.
Leave and cool to room temperature (you can add ice cubes to the brew for faster cooling).
Soak clean gauze in the tea leaves and apply to the affected area.
Change compresses as the gauze warms from the skin.

Prevention

In order to prevent chemical burns at home and at work, attention should be paid to compliance with safety regulations. In everyday life, you should carefully handle household chemicals; in industry, you should conduct safety classes with employees, first aid drills, etc.