Chemical burn

Skin | Dermatology | Chemical burn (Disease)


Description

A chemical burn occurs when living tissue is exposed to a corrosive substance such as a strong acid or base.

Signs and symptoms of chemical burns include the following: redness, irritation, or burning at the site of contact; pain or numbness at the site of contact; abdominal pain; formation of blisters or black dead skin at the contact site; vision changes if the chemical gets into your eyes; vomiting; cough or shortness of breath. In severe cases, the following can develop: low blood pressure; faintness, weakness, dizziness; shortness of breath or severe cough; headache; muscle twhiching or seizures; cardiac arrest or irregular heartbeat. Most people with minor chemical burns do not need to be admitted, however, patients with major chemical burns, need hospital admitted.

Causes and Risk factors

Many chemical burns can be produced accidentally through wrong use of products such as those for hair, skin, and nail care. A variety of common household products that may cause chemical burns are as follows: bleach, concrete mix, drain or toilet bowl cleaners, metal cleaners, pool chlorinators.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment may include intravenous fluids to help or prevent dangerous drops in blood pressure. There are some things that shouldn’t be done, such as: not applying any household remedy such as ointment or salve to a chemical burn, not disturbing a blister or remove dead skin from a chemical burn and not trying to neutralize any chemical. Prevention measures include avoiding exposure to chemicals, using protection gloves when manipulate and store chemical safely after using. ...