RYL Forums - Burn

Chemical burns

Burn from Chemicals.

Skin contact with chemicals can cause a limited skin reaction, an overall body reaction, or both.

Overview & Considerations

Chemical exposure is not always obvious. You should suspect chemical exposure if an otherwise healthy person becomes ill for no apparent reason, particularly if an empty chemical container is found nearby.
Exposure to chemicals at work over a long period of time can cause changing symptoms as the chemical builds up in the victim's body.

Chemical Burn or Reaction: Symptoms & Signs

The symptoms vary depending on the chemical to which the person is exposed. The symptoms may include:

Abdominal pain
Bright red or bluish skin and lips
Breathing difficulty
Convulsions (seizures)
Dizziness
Headache
Hives, itching, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or weakness resulting from an allergic reaction
Irritability
Pain where the skin has come in contact with the toxic substance
Rash, blisters, burns on the skin
Unconsciousness

Chemical Burn or Reaction: Prevention

Many household products are made of toxic chemicals. It is important to read and follow label instructions, including any precautions.
Avoid, prolonged (even low-level) exposure to chemicals.
Buy potentially poisonous substance in safety containers, and buy only as much as needed.
Never store household products in food or drink containers. Leave them in their original containers with the labels intact.
Avoid using potentially toxic substances in the kitchen or around food.
Store chemicals safely immediately after use.
Avoid mixing different products that contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia and bleach. The mixing can give off hazardous fumes.
Use paints, petroleum products, ammonia, bleach, and other products that give off fumes only in a well ventilated area.

Chemical Burn or Reaction: First Aid

Make sure the cause of the burn has been removed. Try not to come in contact with it yourself. If the chemical is dry, brush off any excess. Avoid brushing it into your eyes. Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry.
Flush the chemicals off the skin surface using cool running water for 15 minutes or more.
Treat the victim for shock if he or she appears faint, pale, or if there is shallow, rapid breathing.
Apply cool, wet compresses to relieve pain.
Wrap the burned area with a dry sterile dressing (if possible) or clean cloth. Protect the burned area from pressure and friction.
Minor chemical burns will generally heal without further treatment. However, if there is a second or third degree burn or if there is an overall body reaction, get medical help immediately. In severe cases, don't leave the victim alone and watch carefully for systemic reactions.

Note: If chemical gets into the eyes, the eyes should be flushed with water immediately. Continue to flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical help immediately

Chemical Burn or Reaction: Do Not

DO NOT become contaminated by the chemical as you give first aid.
DO NOT try to neutralize any chemical without consulting the Poison control Center or a physician.
DO NOT disturb a blister or remove dead skin from a chemical burn.
DO NOT apply any household remedy such as an ointment or salve to a chemical burn.

Burns: Information

First Degree Burn, Second Degree Burn, Third Degree Burn

There are three levels of burns:

· First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.

· Second-degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

· Third-degree burns extend into deeper tissues. They cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

To treat a minor burn, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water). Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes

After flushing or soaking for several minutes, cover the burn with a sterile bandage or a clean cloth. Over the counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be used to help relieve the pain. Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment

Causes

Burns can be caused by dry heat (like fire), wet heat (such as steam or hot liquids), radiation, friction, heated objects, the sun, electricity, or chemicals.

Thermal burns are the most common type. Thermal burns occur when hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames come in contact with your skin. These are frequently the result of fires, automobile accidents, playing with matches, improperly stored gasoline, space heaters, and electrical malfunctions. Other causes include unsafe handling of firecrackers and kitchen accidents (such as a child climbing on top of a stove or grabbing a hot iron).

Burns to your airways can be caused by inhaling smoke, steam, superheated air, or toxic fumes, often in a poorly ventilated space.
Burns in children are sometimes traced to parental abuse.

Symptoms & Signs

· Blisters
· Pain (the degree of pain is not related to the severity of the burn -- the most serious burns can be painless)
· Peeling skin
· Red skin
· Shock (watch for pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness)
· Swelling
· White or charred skin
Symptoms of an airway burn:
· Charred mouth; burned lips
· Burns on the head, face, or neck
· Wheezing
· Change in voice
· Difficulty breathing; coughing
· Singed nose hairs or eyebrows
· Dark, carbon-stained mucus

Burns: First Aid

FOR MINOR BURNS

If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water). Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes. A clean, cold, wet towel will also help reduce pain.
Calm and reassure the person.
After flushing or soaking for several minutes, cover the burn with a sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth.
Protect the burn from pressure and friction.
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be used to help relieve the pain. They may also help reduce inflammation and swelling. DO NOT give children under 12 aspirin.
Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. However, if a second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, or if it occurred on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, then treat the burn as a major burn (see below).
Make sure the person is up-to-date on tetanus immunization.

FOR MAJOR BURNS

If someone is on fire, douse the person with water (if available), wrap the person in thick, non-synthetic material to smother the flames (use a wool or cotton coat, rug, or blanket), or lay the person flat and roll him or her on the ground. If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
Call your local emergency number (such as 911/999).
Make sure that the person is no longer in contact with smoldering materials. However, DO NOT remove burnt clothing that is stuck to the skin.
Make sure the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped, or if the person's airway is blocked, open the airway. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
Cover the burn area with a cool, moist sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth. DO NOT use a blanket or towel. A sheet will do if the burned area is large. DO NOT apply any ointments. Avoid breaking burn blisters.
If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings.
Elevate the body part that is burned above the level of the heart. Protect the burnt area from pressure and friction.
Take steps to prevent shock. Lay the person flat, elevate the feet about 12 inches, and cover him or her with a coat or blanket. However, DO NOT place the person in this shock position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected or if it makes the person uncomfortable.
Continue to monitor the person's vital signs (pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) until medical help arrives.

Burns: Do Not

· DO NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, fluffy cotton dressing, adhesive bandages, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a burn. This can interfere with proper healing.
· DO NOT allow the burn to become contaminated. Avoid breathing or coughing on the burn.
· DO NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.
· DO NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.
· DO NOT give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.
· DO NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
· DO NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airway burn and he or she is lying down. This can close the airway.

Call Immediately for Emergency Medical Assistance if

Call your local emergency number (such as 911/999) if:
· The burn is extensive (for example, the size of your palm or larger), severe (third degree), or you aren't sure how serious it is.
· The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
· The person shows signs of shock.
· The burn is associated with smoke inhalation.
· Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.
Call a doctor if your pain is still present after 48 hours. Call immediately if signs of infection develop. These signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage or pus from the burn, swollen lymph nodes, red streaks spreading from the burn, or fever. Also call immediately if there are signs of dehydration including thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination. Children, elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be seen right away.