Providing first aid for chemical burns. Providing first emergency first aid for chemical burns with acid, alkali and other substances. What actions should be taken in case of a chemical burn?

Chemical burns are damage skin using all kinds of chemicals. Statistics show that most often burns of this type affect the upper and lower extremities, body and head. Less common are damage to the respiratory system or digestive tract. First aid for a chemical burn is very important; it should consist of complete regeneration of the pH level of the skin.

Types of damage

You can get such an injury for several reasons; they determine what to do in case of a chemical burn in the future and how exactly the first aid will be provided. may be a consequence of skin interaction with:

salts of heavy metals;
various acids;
alkalis;
all kinds of active chemicals.

To determine what exactly caused the damage, you need to pay attention to it external signs. During acid burns, the damaged area becomes covered with a white crust. After some time it turns brown or black. In case of a chemical burn of the skin with hydrochloric acid, the skin turns yellow; in case of injury with nitrogen, the color of the skin becomes yellow and acquires a brown or greenish tint. The skin's reaction to alkalis is manifested by the formation of a moist or gelatinous crust. If the injured area becomes infected, the skin becomes tight and dry after a few days. During an alkaline burn, fats are saponified and proteins are dissolved. This causes the formation of such a wound.

Providing first aid for chemical burns also depends on the severity of the injury.

There are four main types of gravity
The first degree is an injury, which is accompanied by the formation of swelling and redness of the skin. If the damage occurs as a result of interaction with acids, then the skin becomes covered with thin dried crusts. If the injury is caused by alkalis, then the skin forms after some time, and it is moist. The damaged area does not lose its sensitivity and is completely restored after a week.
In the case of the second degree of severity, the damage is deeper. Symptoms of this type injuries are considered redness and the formation of thin layers of necrosis. As a result of thermochemical damage, blisters may occur. Often, second degree burns do not recover.
Third degree injury causes multiple layers of skin to die. The skin wrinkles and changes its appearance, and in the area of necrosis that has occurred, the skin swells.
The most severe degree is considered to be the fourth. It is characterized by the death and destruction of all soft tissues (bones, muscles, blood vessels, etc.).

Urgent Care

At home, first aid for chemical burns must be provided in the correct order. If everything is done according to special rules, then further treatment results will be as positive as possible.

The initial first aid actions for a chemical skin burn should be removing clothing and other items from the body that have come into contact with the aggressive substance. Next, you need to rinse the damaged area under cool water for 20 minutes. If the washing was not timely, then its duration should be increased to 35-40 minutes. Under no circumstances try to remove the chemical using napkins or cotton wool, this procedure will cause even more harm.

If the injury occurred as a result of exposure of the skin to a powdered chemical, then first aid for such a chemical burn should consist of removing the substance from the wounded area, because some powdered chemicals. substances react with water and ignite, leading to vaporization or boiling.

Next, you need to secure the remaining chemicals in the wound. If the damage was caused by acids coming into contact with the human skin, the wound is washed with a two percent solution baking soda or soap and water. In the event that the cause of the injury was the interaction of alkalis with the skin, treatment must be carried out using acetic or citric acid.

When providing first aid and suppressing the reaction of carboxylic acids, you can use fermented milk products or drugs containing glycerin, and chemical. lime substances - a two percent solution of granulated sugar.

If the victim complains of severe pain, then one of the stages of emergency care should be taking a painkiller.

After first aid is provided for chemical burns, it is necessary to protect the area of the injured skin from all kinds of infections. A gauze bandage is applied to the affected area (using cotton wool is strictly prohibited). The following actions should be carried out by doctors, whom it is advisable to contact if any injury of this type occurs.

Signs that require emergency medical attention:

the victim faints, breathing becomes impaired and the skin color changes;
aggressive substances enter the eyes, mouth or digestive tract;
the burn area is quite large;
pain does not disappear after taking an anesthetic;
the wounds are deep and their area exceeds 10 cm.

Eye burn

Signs that determine:

fear of light;
excessive production of tears;
cutting pain in this area;
redness.

If you do not seek help from specialists in a timely manner, there is a chance of permanently losing your vision.

Providing first aid in this case should be as fast and high-quality as possible. The eyes are rinsed under running water for about twenty minutes; if the damage occurs due to interaction with alkalis, then milk can be used for the rinsing procedure. After this, urgently call an ambulance team, which will take all necessary measures to prevent all possible consequences.

Damage to the digestive tract

The following symptoms characterize:

sharp pain;
burning in the esophagus and stomach;
severe pain in the throat and swelling in the mouth;
vomiting with blood;
Sometimes when vomiting, pieces of the injured mucous membrane come out.

In such cases, a weak vinegar solution is used to eliminate alkali chemicals. For acid burns, wash the stomach using a solution of ordinary soda. In this case, it is almost impossible to help the victim on your own, so immediately seek help from experienced specialists.

The washing procedure is carried out within a quarter of an hour, but this is only if it is precisely determined which substance was involved in the tissue damage. This determines which neutralizer should be used before the doctors arrive.

If a person cannot say for sure what chemical caused his burn, then this can be determined based on the color of the skin near the wound, and emergency assistance can be provided by washing it off.

You should also give the victim a strong painkiller, such as Tempalgin or Demidrol, they will help him endure the pain accompanied by the burn. While waiting for doctors, the patient should be given as much tea and coffee as possible.

First aid

Timely first aid for injuries of this kind can significantly reduce the degree of damage to the skin. In places where there is constant contact with chemical reagents, as a rule, there are substances that neutralize them. The table below will tell you how to treat a chemical burn on the skin immediately after exposure to an aggressive substance:

If you don’t have any at hand, don’t waste time on a long search and use an alternative method: remove the solution from the skin using regular running water. Rinse the affected area generously with cool liquid for 15-20 minutes. The exception is cases when quicklime has come into contact with the skin. In this situation you should use thick cream or butter, lubricating the problem area with it. Powdered reagents that get on the skin must first be carefully removed with a napkin and only then rinsed with water.

At the next stage of first aid, the effect of the substance remaining after washing on the skin should be neutralized. You should remember how to treat a chemical burn on the skin when exposed to acids and alkalis: in the first case, a 2% solution of baking soda will help, and in the second case, a weak solution of citric acid or vinegar. After completing all procedures, apply a dry sterile bandage to the affected area, loosely securing it to the skin.

FAQ

Question: Is stem cell treatment possible if the skin cannot repair itself?

Yes, such a technique has already been developed and a short time used by large medical centers. But at the present time, in the territory of the Russian Federation you will not be provided with such assistance, since current legislation limits their use as unethical.

Question: How dangerous is the injury for young children? Should the treatment be changed somehow?

The prognosis depends on the area of damage. If only one segment of the body is damaged (leg, arm, back, etc.), there is a high probability of complete restoration of the entire dermis, thanks to good regeneration in children. The principles of treatment are similar to those for adult patients, the main thing is timely contact with a doctor.

Question: What will happen to the blisters after stage II healing? Is it possible not to remove them during therapy?

If they are not tense and allow the patient to exist comfortably, they can be left - during the treatment, the fluid will leave them and full recovery. There are no cosmetic defects left in their place.

Question: How to remove scars after skin restoration?

Only plastic surgery.

Diagnosis of the depth of the lesion

Determining the presence of pathology does not present any difficulties; it is much more difficult to find out how far the chemical agent has advanced in depth. To do this, there is a group of specialized methods available in burn centers or multidisciplinary hospitals:

Oxytetracycline fluorescence - the patient is asked to drink a contrast agent that temporarily settles in viable tissues. An hour later, the wound area is illuminated with a quartz lamp, while the dead epithelium does not change its appearance;
Thermomentry method - using a thermal imager, the affected area and surrounding skin are examined. A decrease in temperature by 1.5 o C is a sign of necrosis of the dermis;
Tissue staining using Gizon baths is the simplest technique, the principle of which is to apply a dye substance to the wound cavity. In this case, the dead epithelium becomes yellow in color;
Enzyme method - tissue is taken from the damaged area and then mixed in a test tube with phosphatase enzymes. The absence of staining indicates cell death.

In addition to the above precise methods, there are methods of primary diagnosis that allow the doctor to orient himself during the examination - this is the determination of pain sensitivity and temperature to the touch. In places with III/IV forms of dermal destruction, the patient will not feel touch, and the tissues will be somewhat cooler than the surrounding epithelium.

Treatment at home

When first aid is provided, the main stage of treatment of a burn injury begins. At home, various ointments will be quite effective:

To prepare such a product you need:

sea buckthorn and St. John's wort oil;
egg yolk.

These ingredients are mixed and the resulting mixture is applied to the affected skin area. After the ointment is evenly distributed, a sterile bandage is applied, which should subsequently be changed once a day.

Requires the use of the following components:

butter;
penicillin;
anasthesin;
potato starch.

The presented components are mixed in a blender. The resulting mixture is applied to gauze, which is then applied to the burn site for half an hour. After the ointment is completely absorbed into skin structure The bandage is replaced. This ointment has an analgesic and healing effect, preventing the appearance of scars.

To prepare this product, use hazelnuts and egg whites. The nuts are ground to a paste and then added to the protein. It is enough to use the finished mixture once a day by applying it to the burn.

Brief characteristics of the grass

A chemical burn is a violation of tissue integrity as a result of contact with reagents.

As a rule, such injuries occur when safety precautions are violated while working with designated irritants, as a result of accidents, as well as during suicide attempts.

The degree of burn that develops as a result of contact with an aggressive substance depends on several factors. Firstly, on the strength and mechanism of action of the substance on the tissue (for example, throwing acetic acid onto your hand or lowering a limb into it). Secondly, on the quantity and concentration of the aggressive component. And thirdly, on the duration of exposure and the degree of penetration of the chemical.

There are four degrees of burn injuries:

I is the lightest, affecting only the top layer of skin, the epidermis. Possible swelling and redness. The pain is mild;
Stage II is determined when the deeper layers are damaged, the skin turns red and becomes blistered with fluid. The victim experiences quite severe pain;
III degree, in addition to the skin, adipose tissue is also damaged, the blisters are filled with cloudy bloody contents, while pain is completely absent, since the nerve endings are completely destroyed;
VI is the most severe degree, which is characterized by damage not only to soft tissues, but also to tendons and bones.

A dangerous feature of chemical burns is that the substances have an instant destructive effect, therefore, as a rule, they cause wounds of the third and fourth degree of severity.

These types of burns also differ in the characteristic color of the damaged skin. When contacting sulfuric acid, the wound initially has light shade, and then becomes grayish or brown.

Nitric acid injuries are light yellow-green or yellow-brown in color.

A concentrated solution of hydrogen peroxide causes a grayish burn.

The peculiarity of the aggressive substance is that it continues to destroy tissue for some period after the source has been eliminated. Consequently, immediately after injury, it is impossible to determine the extent of the damage. As a rule, the situation can only be assessed a week after the burn, when the scab begins to fester.

In addition, to determine the severity of the wound, the area of the lesion is also of great importance.

The degree of skin damage from a chemical also affects the clinical symptoms that occur after injury. The victim may experience pain, general lethargy, and nausea. The wound becomes colored depending on the aggressive substance, blisters appear and a scab is formed, the structure of which also depends on the type of damaging factor.

Clinical picture

Each substance, when it comes into contact with the skin, causes a certain reaction, and from what the damage site looks like, you can determine what exactly caused the burn:

Damaged skin becomes covered with dry scabs from acids. Hydrochloric acid coats the skin with a white coating, nitric acid with a green coating, and sulfuric acid with a brown coating.
Alkaline damage is very deep and damages a large number of tissues. A chemical burn from alkali corrodes a large area of the skin and often begins purulent inflammation.
Mustard oil and cyanic acid leave blisters on the skin, and when oxalic acid gets on the nails, they turn blue.

The types of chemical burns are determined by the severity of the injury and the characteristics of the symptoms:

Chemical burn 1st degree - pain and burning occurs. The area of damage has clear boundaries, turns red, and slight swelling occurs. This condition passes very quickly.
Chemical burn of the 2nd degree - there is severe hyperemia and extensive swelling. In the second stage, epithelial cells die, which causes the formation of blisters over the skin and severe pain.
A 3rd degree chemical burn causes excruciating pain to the patient. The third degree is characterized by death of the skin and a change in color to white or dark, depending on the substance.
A 4th degree chemical burn is the most dangerous condition in which necrosis begins not only of the skin, but also of the subcutaneous tissue, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Depending on the location of the damage, a variety of symptoms may occur. Symptoms of chemical burns are:

Eye damage: photophobia, itching, burning, tearing, swelling of the mucous membrane.
Damage to the stomach and esophagus - nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, spasm of the larynx, blood from the throat.
Burn of the respiratory tract - attacks of suffocation, pain in the chest, fever.
Skin damage: pain, burning, swelling, scab formation.

Burns from some acids may not appear immediately but gradually, so symptoms do not always appear immediately. Contact with the skin and mucous membranes of aggressive substances causes pain and sometimes shock. Since chemical agents easily penetrate into the blood, signs of intoxication may be observed:

Temperature increase.
Breathing problems.
Arterial hypertension.
General deterioration of condition.

If you suspect a burn with chemicals, you should consult a surgeon, and if a small part of the skin is affected, a consultation with a dermatologist will be sufficient.

Degree of damage

A chemical burn is serious damage to the skin and soft tissues of the human body. The severity of such an injury is determined by the symptoms.

First degree: minor injury with virtually no consequences other than a cosmetic skin defect. Affects a small area of the integument, does not penetrate into soft fabrics. The disorder is limited to the upper epidermis. The most severe manifestations: slight swelling, severe redness. The pain is sharp, but short-lived - easily relieved, there is a burning sensation.
Second degree: the wound is more widespread and quickly goes deeper into the tissue. Severe swelling and redness affects healthy areas of the skin. Blisters filled with serous water form on the wound. The pain is severe and growing.

The third degree has two categories: “a” and “b”. The symptoms remain exactly the same, aggravated by skin necrosis. In category “a” there are intact areas of the skin and soft tissues. Category “b” is characterized by deep damage - tissue begins to die. Sensitivity disappears, the blisters are larger in size and filled with bloody fluid.
The fourth degree is unpredictable. The symptoms are the same, necrosis affects tendons and muscles, and can reach bones. It is almost impossible to cure; specialized help is required.

Medications

In case of severe chemical burns, the use of official medications is mandatory. The following are considered the most effective:

"Dexpanthenol". It is used to relieve inflammation processes, as well as accelerate the regenerative healing of the skin.
"Mephenate". Prescribed as an analgesic drug that additionally has an anti-inflammatory effect.
"Actovegin". A well-known medicine for restoring skin covers. The base is calfskin. The product also helps stop the inflammatory process.
"Miramistin". Has an effective antiseptic effect. It becomes especially relevant in the case of decay of a burn injury.
"Panthenol". The number one drug for various types burns. Effective as first aid. Relieves pain and prevents further tissue damage.

Also, measures for the treatment of chemical burns involve the use of antiseptic drugs. They contain various groups of vitamins that promote skin regeneration during the healing stage.

Therapeutic measures

Treatment begins with first aid; first of all, it is necessary to neutralize the effect of the substance. First, you need to rinse the burn area with running water. If the substance is powdery, then it is necessary to remove the residue with a dry sterile cloth; water is contraindicated in such cases.

Important! Do not apply lotions with water, as this will only worsen the condition.

Medication methods

Every person should know what to anoint the affected area with. For chemical burns, the following remedies are effective:

Acids - soap solution, weak bicarbonate solution.
Hydrofluoric acid is a mixture of glycerin and magnesium oxide.
Alkalis - 1% solution of citric acid or vinegar, 0.5-2% solution of boric acid.
Phosphorus – 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Lime - 20% sugar solution.

After providing first aid, you must see a specialist to receive further treatment. In what cases is emergency hospitalization necessary:

Loss of consciousness.
Breathing problems.
The diameter of the damage is more than 7-8 cm.
If the face, eyes, mouth, esophagus, and area of large joints are exposed.
Severe pain that cannot be relieved by medications.

In the emergency room, the patient will be given an anesthetic injection and the skin will be washed with an antiseptic solution. After this, a sterile bandage is applied, which needs to be changed after 1-2 days. If a mild degree is diagnosed, then treat the chemical burn at home, following the doctor’s recommendations.

What ointment helps best for chemical burns? You can lubricate the burn with the following means:

Panthenol.
Bepanten.
Solcoseryl.
Levomekol.
Actovegin.
Baneocin.
Dermazin.
Vishnevsky ointment.

It is best to change the bandage at the doctor's office, but if it is not possible to visit a clinic, then you should know what to do in case of a chemical burn to the skin. Bandages and dressings must be sterile, the wound must be washed with Miramistin or another antiseptic recommended by the doctor, the skin must “breathe” for 15 minutes and only then can it be lubricated with ointments and a new bandage applied.

If it cannot be cured by these means, then surgical removal of necrotic tissue is performed.

Home therapy

For chemical skin burns, treatment at home is permissible only if the lesions are mild. To do this, products are selected that can restore damaged tissue.

How to apply burns at home:

Lubricate with a mixture of fir and sea buckthorn oil 1-2 times a day.
Apply a compress of grated potatoes 2 times a day for 15 minutes.
Squeeze the juice out of aloe with your hands and apply to the affected area every 5-6 hours.
A compress of grated carrots, applied 2 times a day, will help restore the skin.

How to get rid of and prevent scars:

Take 4 g of mumiyo in a glass of water and dissolve. Lubricate two or three times a day.
Leave a handful of crushed burdock roots overnight vegetable oil, then cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Apply the product to scars 2-3 times a day.
Apply grated tomatoes and cucumbers once a day for 15 minutes.

Before treating a chemical skin burn folk remedies, you need to consult a doctor so that he can determine the extent of the damage and how dangerous the condition of the skin is. How long the restoration of the skin will take depends on the correct treatment.

First aid measures

The first aid for chemical burns at home is to thoroughly rinse the affected area with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. The second stage of emergency care is to neutralize the substance that remains on the affected area after washing. However, you need to know that the treatment of burns with acids and alkalis is somewhat different. So, if the burn is caused by any acid coming into contact with the skin, after washing, the initial treatment must be done with a 2% solution of baking soda, after which a cotton pad soaked in ammonia diluted with water must be applied to the wound.

For acid-affected areas, you can also apply a bandage with sodium bicarbonate solution. If the burn is caused by exposure to alkali, then after washing the area is treated with a weak solution of either vinegar or citric acid. After this, a damp, cold cloth is applied to the damaged area, and then a dry, necessarily sterile, bandage is applied, which is not secured very tightly.

Methods you can use at home

After the substance that caused the burn has been neutralized, treatment can begin directly. When treating chemical burns at home, compresses made from a decoction of mint, chamomile, and an infusion of hop cones are very helpful. To prepare such decoctions you will need to take 1 tbsp. spoon of a certain herb per 1 cup of boiling water. In these infusions (warm only) it is necessary to moisten sterile wipe and apply it to the burn for 15 minutes 4 times a day.

If the burn is very painful, then at home you can reduce the pain by using a tea compress. Tea can be taken either black or green. It must be brewed tightly and moistened with gauze or a sterile napkin and applied to the burned area. This should be done once a day for 2 hours, periodically wetting the napkin and not allowing it to dry. Oak bark will help relieve itching. To prepare the decoction, take 1 tbsp. spoon of crushed bark and pour a glass of boiling water. The infusion is boiled for 5 minutes over low heat and the filtered infusion is used as a lotion.

Traditional recipes for ointments

Special ointments that can be prepared at home have a good effect. The most effective is aloe ointment. To prepare it, take 2-3 leaves of the medicinal plant, cut off the thorns and grind in any way until it becomes mushy. Then add the interior melted fat and wait until the ointment thickens. Before use, the affected area should be thoroughly washed, removing necrotic masses, as well as remnants of other medicinal products. A bandage with this ointment is applied once a day.

Oil-based ointments, such as St. John's wort, will also help. However, it must be remembered that the use of oils is allowed no earlier than on the second day after receiving a burn from a chemical substance. To prepare such St. John's wort oil, take 200 ml of sunflower oil and mix it with 2 tbsp. l. St. John's wort flowers. This mixture is infused in a dark place for 3 weeks, and after squeezing it is used to lubricate the damaged area of the skin.

With a chemical burn, the body becomes intoxicated, protective functions are reduced, and the temperature most often rises. Therefore, herbal teas taken orally will also be useful. For such teas, you should take herbs that relieve inflammation, tonic, and have an antibacterial effect.

First aid for alkali burns

Damage caused by exposure of the skin to alkali is quite dangerous. Under the influence of alkaline salts, fats are saponified and cells are destroyed. The biochemical effect of alkalis determines a specific clinical picture:

Large burn surface;
Lots of loose fabrics;
Purulent blisters.

To neutralize alkali, it is necessary to treat the skin with acetic or citric acid (1-2% solution).

Treatment of burn surfaces with herbicides and pesticides

The burn surface should be treated with ethyl alcohol and gasoline in turn. The person then needs to be taken to the hospital to be given a specific neutralizer (antidote) depending on the cause.

Chemical burns with phosphorus are eliminated by classic scheme. The burned area is washed with water; it is better to immerse the limbs completely in water. When washing, you need to ensure that all phosphorus particles are removed. Then the wound is covered with a bandage moistened with a solution of potassium permanganate. (the connection prevents the phosphorus from burning).

How to treat skin burns with quicklime

Quicklime burns are a unique variant of clinical course and treatment. Rinsing your skin with water is strictly contraindicated! When dissolved in liquid, lime becomes active, which will cause an increase in the burn surface. The skin surface should be lubricated with a thick layer of fat. Then go to the clinic.

To summarize, we define similar principles for the treatment of all chemical burns:

Removing the aggressive factor;
Treatment with water (except slaked lime);
Lubrication with antiseptics;
Taking medications to increase blood supply and regeneration.

It is difficult to treat a chemical burn with toxic compounds at home. Medical institutions are equipped with antidotes against many substances, so if you come into contact with aggressive liquids, we recommend contacting a medical institution. Just do not forget that the victim must first be given first aid.

When self-medication is dangerous

Sometimes, when providing first aid, the victim becomes much easier, and then treatment can be done independently at home. However, there are situations when chemical burns are not something to joke about and you should immediately seek medical help:

the victim exhibits signs of shock, manifested in loss of consciousness and poor skin;
the spread of a chemical burn affects deep skin tissues with damage to an area with a diameter exceeding 7.5 cm;
burn injury affected the eyes, face, limbs, as well as mucous membranes;
there are strong painful sensations that do not subside even under the influence of potent painkillers.

Regardless of the degree of the burn, you should be careful about subsequent treatment, since even minor lesions can provoke severe complications on the skin

However the best option is to exercise extreme caution when working or being around chemicals

When you need specialist help

Even with a chemical burn it is not always necessary professional help, it depends on the degree of its severity.

There are 4 degrees (depths) of skin damage:

It is dangerous only for children and the elderly; it causes the burned area of skin to slightly swell and turn red. There is a burning sensation and pain, but you can endure it on your own. For the average person, medical intervention is not required.
It spreads to the deeper layers of the skin, at this stage there is severe swelling and dark redness. Bubbles with clear liquid appear on the skin, all of which is accompanied by pain.
It requires hospitalization of the victim. The 3rd degree is not much different from the fourth, but everything has certain features: tissue necrosis, a motionless wide scab forms on the skin. Such a burn is characterized by different pain sensitivity.
The most complex degree, in which chemical damage affects not only the skin, but also muscle tissue, as well as tendons and bones. A long wound healing process is expected.

3rd and 4th degree chemical burns cannot be treated at home.

It is imperative to undergo therapy in a hospital setting, and after being discharged home, strictly follow all the doctor’s instructions, which may include: sleeping in certain positions, taking anabolic steroids and sedatives.

Sometimes victims with a high degree of burns, especially if they affect a large part of the body, may suffer from depression or hysterical attacks, then the help of a psychiatrist and neurologist is mandatory.

After discharge or for small wounds, it is important to decide how to treat a chemical skin burn. Application option available pharmaceuticals or traditional methods

Chemical burn of the esophagus

It may happen that the chemical has entered the esophagus and stomach. This could be done intentionally or it could be an accident. Very often, such substances are battery electrolyte and vinegar essence.

More rare cases are alkalis or concentrated acids entering the esophagus and stomach. The victim experiences severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, larynx and stomach. If the larynx is damaged, the patient may feel short of air. Vomiting appears with bloody mucus and pieces of the stomach mucosa, which is separated due to the burn.

Since this type of burn spreads very quickly, the patient needs immediate first aid, which first includes gastric lavage. It can be washed with a solution of baking soda if we are talking about a burn with acids, or with a weak solution of acetic acid if we are talking about a burn with alkalis. In this case, a person needs to be given not just a large, but a really huge amount of liquid to drink, which will make it possible to completely get rid of the chemical component.

In case of such burns, you should call emergency doctors as soon as possible or take the patient to the hospital yourself.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Chemical burns: causes of their occurrence, signs and symptoms, first aid measures and complex therapy
Almost all chemicals are endowed with the necessary strength, which can have a destructive effect on the tissues of the human body. Alkalis and concentrated acids are especially strong in this regard. As soon as they begin to affect the human body, they immediately arise chemical burns. First aid for such burns, it involves, first of all, thoroughly washing the affected area with running water, since this is the only way to get rid of the aggressive component. After this, it is recommended to apply a sterile bandage to the affected area. If a chemical component gets into the eyes or a person swallows it, then the first thing you should do is rinse the eye or stomach, and then consult an emergency physician.

Chemical burn is tissue damage resulting from exposure to salts of heavy metals, acids, caustic liquids, alkalis or any other chemically active components. These types of burns occur as a result of safety violations, domestic accidents, secondary injuries or suicide attempts. There are other factors that contribute to their development. The severity, as well as the depth of such burns, directly depends on the following factors:

concentration and amount of chemical
mechanism of action and strength of the chemical
degree of penetration and duration of exposure to the chemical

According to the depth and severity of tissue damage, four degrees of chemical burns are distinguished

First degree (damage to the upper layer of the skin, epidermis). In this case, there is slight swelling, redness, and mild pain at the site of the lesion.

Second degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin). In this case, redness and swelling occur, as well as blisters filled with clear liquid.

Third degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin, reaching the subcutaneous adipose tissue) is accompanied by the appearance of blisters that are filled with cloudy liquid or bloody contents. In this case, there is a violation of sensitivity, that is, the person does not experience pain in the affected area.

Fourth degree (damage to all tissues: skin, muscles, tendons).

In most cases, chemical burns occur third And fourth degrees.

If the burn occurs under the influence of alkalis and acids, then a so-called scab or crust appears at the site of the lesion. The crust that appears after exposure to alkalis is loose, whitish, soft and does not stand out among the whole tissue by any boundaries. If we compare alkaline liquids with acidic liquids, it is immediately worth noting that the former tend to penetrate much deeper into the tissue, therefore, they cause more significant harm.

In case of acid burns the crust is hard and dry. In addition, it has clearly defined boundaries that distinguish it from healthy areas of the skin. Plus, acid burns are most often superficial.
Color of the affected area skin in the case of a chemical burn is determined by the type of chemical substance. If the skin is exposed to sulfuric acid, then initially it becomes White color, and only then it turns brown or gray. If the skin has been burned with nitric acid, then the affected area becomes yellow-brown or light yellow-green. Hydrochloric acid tends to leave yellowish burns, but acetic acid tends to leave a dirty white color. When burned with carbolic acid, the affected area first turns white and then brown. In the case of a burn with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, the affected area becomes gray.

It should be noted that the skin tissue continues to deteriorate even after the chemical component ceases to come into contact with it, and all because the process of absorption of the chemical substance in this case does not stop immediately. As a result, it is simply impossible to establish the exact degree of the burn during the first hours or days after the incident. It will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis only after seven to ten days, namely when the process of suppuration of the resulting crust begins. The danger and severity of this type of burn is determined by both its area and depth. The larger the affected area, the more dangerous the burn is for the patient’s life.

First aid for chemical burns of the skin

First aid in such cases involves: removing the chemical component from the affected area as quickly as possible, reducing the concentration of its residues on the skin by thoroughly rinsing with water, as well as cooling the affected area in order to reduce pain.

In case of a chemical burn to the skin, the following measures should be taken:

You should immediately remove clothing or jewelry that contains chemical components.
To get rid of the causes of the burn, it is necessary to wash off the chemicals from the skin, while holding the affected area under cold running water for at least a quarter of an hour. If it was not possible to rinse the affected area in a timely manner, then the rinsing time is increased to thirty to forty minutes. You should not try to get rid of chemicals using tampons or napkins moistened with water, as this will allow them to penetrate even more deeply into the skin. If the chemical component is in powder form, then first you need to remove its remnants from the skin and only then begin to wash the affected area. Exceptions to the rules are cases when there is a categorical contraindication for the interaction of a chemical component with water. This applies, for example, to aluminum, since organic compounds of this substance tend to ignite upon contact with water.
If after the first rinse a person begins to experience an even stronger burning sensation, then it is recommended to rinse the affected area again with running water for five to six minutes.
As soon as the affected area is washed, you should proceed to neutralize the chemical components. In case of an acid burn, you should use soapy water or a two percent solution of baking soda. This solution is easy to prepare: take two and a half glasses of water and dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in it. In case of an alkali burn, a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid will come to the rescue. The chemical components of lime can be neutralized with a two percent sugar solution. Carbolic acid can be neutralized with milk of lime and glycerin.
You can reduce pain by applying a cold, damp cloth or towel to the affected area.
After this, apply a loose bandage made of clean dry cloth or a dry sterile bandage to the affected surface.

If the burn is not severe, then it will heal without any medications.

In case of a chemical burn, urgent health care needed in the following cases:

If a person exhibits signs of shock such as pale skin, loss of consciousness, and shallow breathing.
If the diameter of the burn is more than seven and a half centimeters, and it has also penetrated deeper than the first layer of skin.
Chemical damage affected the groin area, legs, eyes, buttocks, face, arms or large joints, as well as the esophagus and oral cavity.
A person experiences very strong pain that cannot be relieved with painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

If you still decide to get advice from a specialist, then do not forget to take with you dishes with the chemical substance that caused the burn, or its detailed description. This will make it possible to neutralize it much faster, which sometimes cannot be done under normal home conditions.

Chemical burns to the eyes

Chemical burns to the eyes are a consequence of lime, acids, ammonia, alkalis or other chemical components in production or at home. In fact, burns in this area are extremely dangerous, which is why they require timely consultation with a medical specialist. The severity of chemical eye burns will be determined by concentration, temperature, chemical composition, as well as the amount of the substance that caused the burn. In addition, the general reactivity of the patient’s body, the condition of his eyes, as well as the quality and timeliness of first aid are also taken into account. In most cases, with such burns, the patient experiences the following subjective sensations: lacrimation, fear of light, cutting pain in the eye area. In very severe cases, the patient may lose vision completely. We note right away that with such burns, not only the eyes are affected, but also the skin around them. It is very important to provide first aid to a person in a timely manner. First of all, he needs to rinse his eyes with plenty of running water as quickly as possible. Open your eyelids and rinse your eyes for ten to fifteen minutes. In this case, water is the main neutralizer of chemical components. If the burn is a consequence of exposure to alkali, then milk can be used instead of water. As soon as the eye is thoroughly washed, take a piece of gauze or bandage and apply a dry bandage. As soon as this is done, immediately take the patient to the doctor.

Chemical burns of the stomach and esophagus

Chemical burns of both the stomach and esophagus are the result of intentional or accidental ingestion of alkalis such as ammonia or concentrated acids such as battery electrolyte or vinegar essence. Obvious signs of such burns include very severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. If the larynx is also affected, then the patient begins to experience a lack of air. In addition, vomiting, containing bloody mucus and pieces of burnt mucous membrane, makes itself felt. Since this type of burn spreads very quickly, the patient needs immediate first aid, which first includes gastric lavage. It can be washed with a solution of baking soda if we are talking about a burn with acids, or with a weak solution of acetic acid if we are talking about a burn with alkalis. In this case, a person needs to be given not just a large, but a really huge amount of liquid to drink, which will make it possible to completely get rid of the chemical component. In case of such burns, you should call emergency doctors as soon as possible or take the patient to the hospital yourself.

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 of the digestive system is to 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”

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Chemical burns are a consequence of external exposure to the body by various aggressive substances: organic and inorganic acids and their concentrated solutions, alkalis, some salts of heavy metals, etc.

Chemical burns, by analogy with thermal burns, are also divided into degrees of damage:

First degree. Typically, burns of this degree occur from short-term exposure to a chemical or weak solutions. It is characterized by mild pain, possibly swelling and hyperemia of the skin at the site of contact.
Second degree. The defeat is deeper. Characteristic blisters filled with liquid form.
Third degree. Severe chemical burns are usually characterized by deep damage to the skin, down to the fatty tissue. Blisters with cloudy red fluid.
Fourth degree. Characterized by the extremely serious condition of the victim. Exposure to the chemical affects skin and muscle tissue, organs, and bone and connective tissue.

Providing first emergency first aid for chemical burns

If the burn is under clothing, it must be carefully removed and, if necessary, carefully cut.
Rinse the affected area thoroughly with cool running water. The minimum rinsing time is 15 minutes. With prolonged exposure to the chemical, the rinsing time can be increased to 30 minutes or more. Bleach should never be washed off with water. To remove, use a dry cloth and lubricate the affected area with oil or grease. calcareous acid or 3″ esophagus, you should take it. , which caused the chemical
Dry chemicals should be carefully removed from the affected area using a tissue before rinsing.

After thorough rinsing, the remaining substance that caused the burn should be neutralized. Below is a brief neutralization table.

A short list of substances that cause chemical burns to the skin and their neutralization
Substance name	Neutralization agent
Hydrochloric acid	2% soda solution
Sulfuric acid	2% soda solution
Nitric acid	2% soda solution
Chlorosulfonic acid	2% soda solution
Chlorosulfonic acid (Sulfonyl chloride)	2% soda solution
Hydrofluoric acid	20% suspension: magnesium oxide on glycerin
Chromic anhydride	thorough rinsing
Bleaching powder	20% sugar
Phenol (carbolic acid)	Rinse medical alcohol, followed by water
Acetic acid	2% soda solution
Chloroacetic acid	2% soda solution
Acetylenedicarboxylic acid	2% soda solution
Phosphorus halides	2% soda solution
Caustic potassium	1% acetic acid solution
Caustic sodium	1% acetic acid solution
Caustic barium	1% acetic acid solution
Sodium sulfide	1% acetic acid solution
Ammonia solution	1% acetic acid solution
Dimethyl sulfate	only running water
Dimethyl sulfoxide (Dimexide)	only running water
White phosphorus	1% Sulfate solution copper, long-term neutralization
Bromine	Benzene
Silver nitrate	30% sodium thiosulfate solution

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After neutralization, depending on the severity of the condition, you should re-rinse the affected area with water and apply a sterile bandage until the doctor arrives. Do not wrap the affected area tightly to avoid additional tissue injury.
Panthenol can be used to treat the first (mildest) degree of burn.
In case of a chemical burn to the eyes, rinse the eyes thoroughly with water (do not rub!). Next, in case of an acid burn, rinse your eyes with 3% soda solution. If the cause of the burn is alkali contact, rinse with 2% ( water!) solution of boric acid.
In case of burn of the oral cavity with acids, rinse with a chalk suspension or solution of magnesium oxide or 5% soda solution. For a burn with alkali - rinse with 1% acetic acid solution or 3% aqueous solution of boric acid, you can also use diluted lemon juice.
If an aggressive substance enters the esophagus, you should take milk.
Chemical burns of 2nd degree or higher require qualified medical care.