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 stage- cooling of affected surfaces. To do this, use running water (best) or apply plastic bags or heating pads 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 people and the Internet recommend! 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.

Principles of treatment of electrical burns 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.

Tissue damage, called a burn, can result from exposure to thermal factors, electric current, radioactive rays, and certain chemicals. Alkali burns belong to the category of chemical burns (T26-T28 according to ICD-10).

Risk factors

The main risk factors for getting a burn from alkali are violation of the rules for handling concentrated caustic alkalis (industrial injuries), as well as when various types of strong bases (slaked and quicklime, caustic soda, ammonia) are carelessly used in everyday life.

Pathogenesis

From a chemical point of view, the causes of alkali burns are that upon direct contact and physical-chemical interaction of alkalis (alkali metal hydroxides Na, Ca, K) with human skin, a corrosion-type reaction begins, that is, the aggressive substance corrodes the tissue.

The pathogenesis of a chemical burn with alkali is associated with the fact that an irreversible reaction of alkaline hydrolysis occurs, during which hydroxyl anions of alkali (OH −) break down the lipids of ceramides and keratins of the stratum corneum of the skin, break the amide bonds of protein molecules of the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue, and cause absorption of interstitial fluid. Complete denaturation of proteins during an alkali burn is completed when the bases bind serum proteins to albumin, resulting in: the osmotic pressure in the cells is disrupted, jelly-like hydrolysis products (albuminates) are formed, damaged skin and soft tissue cells swell and quickly die.

Albuminates can dissolve, but cannot coagulate, so alkali burns are quite deep - with specific wet (colliquation) necrosis. The scab that forms at the burn site has a loose structure, which greatly increases the risk of infection of the burn wound. According to combustiologists, alkali burns are very dangerous and heal more slowly than other chemical burns.

Symptoms of an alkali burn

The first signs of an alkali burn are a feeling of “soapy” skin (this is a sign of the ongoing emulsification of the fatty lubricant of the epidermis secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin). Irritation and redness of the skin that has come into contact with the chemical occurs very quickly.

The longer the alkali acts on the skin, the more intense the symptoms of an alkali burn, such as burning and swelling of the skin, numbness or pain, appear.

It should be borne in mind that alkalis diffuse into tissues, so the pathological process spreads (penetration), which leads to damage to subcutaneous structures that do not immediately appear on the surface.

When the top layer of skin (epidermis) is damaged, a superficial burn (1st degree) is formed, which is manifested by skin hyperemia, burning and pain.

The clinical symptoms of alkali burns intensify in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, when the area of ​​contact of the skin with the chemical substance exceeds 8 cm in diameter and the deeper layers of the dermis, subcutaneous and soft tissues are affected. There are no blisters with this type of chemical burn; a dirty white loose crust appears on the burned surface, under which necrosis begins with the formation and release of pus. Since the burn surface in most cases is subject to bacterial initiation, inflammation develops. This stage or phase is called purulent-necrotic, and at this time adequate treatment is necessary.

If alkali gets on the face, an alkali burn to the eyes can occur - a very dangerous injury that damages the cornea, sclera, retina, and vitreous body, leading to partial or complete loss of vision.

Symptoms of an eye burn with alkali include severe pain in the eye, increased lacrimation and spasm of the muscles around the eye (blepharospasm). More information in the article – Chemical burns of the eyes

Diagnosis of alkali burn

The main diagnosis of an alkali burn is to determine the area of ​​the lesion, which, in fact, is an indicator of the level of severity of the burn. Usually this level can be determined two days after receiving a burn.

If for many patients the diagnosis of “alkali burn” means only external damage to the skin, then for the doctor it is a signal to be ready to prevent the consequences and complications of such burns (shock, intoxication, abscesses, sepsis), and if they develop, to promptly identify and prescribe treatment. Due to the mechanism of development of tissue damage, a burn from caustic alkali is considered severe, so surgical treatment may be required (for deep necrosis).

In addition, the hydroxyl anions of alkalis mentioned above cause not only external damage: at high concentrations and prolonged exposure, they can penetrate into the blood, increasing its pH. This leads to the development of alkalosis with impaired functioning of the heart and kidneys.

But in cases of alkali burns to the eyes, instrumental diagnostics are used: the eyes are examined with an ophthalmoscope and other examinations are carried out. Ophthalmologists do this.

Treatment of burns with alkali

First aid for alkali burns

First aid for alkali burns is:

• by immediately washing the affected areas of the skin with cold running water for at least 15 minutes;
• in treating burned areas washed with water with one of the acidifying solutions: 2% solution of citric or boric acid (½ teaspoon per 250 ml of water); 1% acetic acid solution; a solution of a mixture of 9% table vinegar and water (in a ratio of 1:3).

First aid for burns with alkali in powder form should begin with its thorough removal from the skin in a dry form, and only after that can the damaged area be washed with water and an acidified solution. Please note that dissolving dry alkali in water triggers its damaging effects on the skin.

If the burn is caused by quicklime, under no circumstances should it be washed with water. You need to remove the alkali by treating the skin with any vegetable oil followed by applying a dry sterile cloth.

If the skin is exposed to slaked lime, after rinsing with water, wash the affected area several times with sweetened water (a level tablespoon of sugar per 250 ml of water). You can make lotions with this solution.

An eye burn with alkali should also be rinsed with cold water for several minutes (only under running water), after which you should continue to rinse the eyes with a 2% solution of boric or citric acid. In this case, it is necessary to urgently contact a medical institution.

Treatment of burns with alkali in a hospital

In mild cases of damage to the upper layer of skin, treatment of a burn with alkali can be carried out using the well-known Panthenol aerosol, synthomycin liniment, as well as Oxycyclosol spray (with the antibiotic oxytetracycline and the corticosteroid prednisolone), antiseptic drugs in the form of solutions for topical use Dioxyzol or Novoimanin.

Dioxysol contains antibacterial agent dioxidine and anesthetic lidocaine. The drug is used not only to fight infection, but also to stimulate repair processes in a burn wound, for which purpose it is used to treat the damaged area and moisten the bandage - once a day. The procedure may be accompanied by a slight burning sensation, but prolonged use of this solution may cause side effect in the form of urticaria. For heart problems (bradycardia), low blood pressure and pregnancy, Dioxyzol is contraindicated.

1% alcoholic extract of St. John's wort - Novoimanin - helps with suppuration of a burn wound (by drying it) and relieves inflammation well. To wash the wound or wet the bandage, it must be diluted with water (5 parts to 1 part extract).

Both at home and in hospitals, such an effective dosage form as ointment (or gel) is used. For burns of any etiology, doctors recommend antibacterial ointments Levomekol and Levosin (with chloramphenicol), Streptonitol (with sulfonamides), Sulfargin (with silver sulfathiazole), etc. Full information in the material - Ointment for burns.

You can learn about what methods are used in the treatment of moderate and severe burns from a separate publication - Treatment of burns

Traditional treatment

When using folk treatment in the form of compresses and lotions, you should remember to follow the rules of antiseptics. Therefore, it is best to use decoctions of medicinal plants, and not products that are prepared without heat treatment (that is, they can become a source of infection of the burn wound).

Recommended traditional treatment herbs include decoctions of calendula flowers, St. John's wort, plantain leaves, cinquefoil, and sweet clover. A strong decoction of bay leaves (5-6 leaves per glass of boiling water) relieves inflammation well. Herbal decoction is prepared at the rate of a tablespoon of raw material per 200-250 ml of boiling water (boil for about 10-12 minutes); after infusion of the decoction, burn wounds are washed with it when changing the bandage (1-2 times a day).

Aloe juice draws out pus well; celandine juice (diluted with boiled water 1:1) dries a weeping wound; helps relieve inflammation with essential oils of cedar, eucalyptus, tea tree; accelerates the healing of burns with alkali lotions with juice from the leaves and stems of golden mustache (fragrant callisia), propolis, mumiyo.

Prevention

An alkali burn can lead to deep tissue necrosis, so the best prevention of this type of traumatic impact is caution in handling chemicals both at work and at home. When dealing with alkalis, you need to wear closed clothing, protect your hands with rubber gloves, and your eyes with special safety glasses.

A chemical burn is a consequence of direct contact of body tissues with chemical reagents. Such an injury can occur as a result of a violation of the technological process at work, neglect of safety precautions, as well as accidents at home or a suicide attempt. The face, hands and digestive organs are most often affected. How to properly provide care for a chemical burn to prevent complications?

The severity of chemical tissue damage depends on:

• the strength and mechanism of action of the substance;
• quantity and concentration of the substance;
• duration of exposure and degree of penetration of the substance.

Chemical burns are divided into 4 degrees:

Burns can occur due to:

• acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, nitric, etc.);
• alkalis (caustic soda, caustic potassium, etc.);
• gasoline;
• kerosene;
• salts of heavy metals (zinc chloride, silver nitrate, etc.);
• volatile oils;
• phosphorus;
• bitumen

Concentrated solutions of alkalis and acids, which most often refer to third- and fourth-degree burns, have the greatest destructive effect.

Acid burns

An acid is a chemical compound containing hydrogen that turns a litmus test red, and which can be converted to a salt if the hydrogen is replaced by a metal.

Acid burns are usually shallow. This is due to its effect on protein coagulation: a scab forms at the site of burned tissue - a clearly defined dry crust of gray or brown color, covering the burn site, formed from coagulated blood, which prevents the substance from penetrating deep into the tissue. The rate of blood coagulation increases as the acid concentration increases.

Alkali burns

Hydroxides of alkaline earth, alkali and some other elements are called alkalis; These include bases that are highly soluble in water. During electrolytic dissociation, alkalis break down into OH- anions and metal cations. In case of contact with alkali, deep penetration of the substance into the tissue is observed, since a shield in the form of a hard crust is not formed. As a result of an alkaline burn, a soft, whitish scab without clear boundaries is formed.

Damage from heavy metal salts

Heavy metals are considered a group of chemical elements that are similar in properties to metals and have significant atomic weight or density. These include mercury, silver, copper, zinc, lead, cobalt, cadmium and bismuth.

Lesions caused by this group of substances often externally and clinically resemble the result of contact with acid: the substances do not penetrate deep into the tissue, stopping in the upper layers of the skin.

Providing first aid for a chemical burn

An important feature of chemical burns is that it is impossible to immediately determine the extent of damage. The reason for this is the fact that the reagent is absorbed into living tissues within several hours (sometimes days) after direct contact.

Based on this, it becomes possible to accurately establish a diagnosis only after 7-10 days after the accident. By this time, in most cases, the process of suppuration of the scab begins, so you need to know what to do in case of a chemical burn.

First aid for chemical skin burns

Skin contact with acid or alkali is the most common type of injury from chemicals, both at work and at home. Therefore, it is necessary to know the basic rules of first aid for chemical burns.

First aid for chemical eye damage

Any chemical burn to the eyes is a serious injury and requires mandatory examination and treatment by a doctor. Regardless of the type of substance, in most cases such injuries are accompanied by a strong reaction to light, tearing and cutting pain, and sometimes even loss of vision.

• In the event of eye injury from a chemical, the most important first aid measure is to immediately rinse with plenty of water. To do this, you need to spread the eyelids with your fingers and hold the eye under running water for 10-15 minutes to remove the reagent. In this case, you should not waste time looking for neutralizers, since immediately washing the eyes with water is much more effective. However, in case of alkali damage, milk can be used to neutralize.
• Next, apply a dry bandage. But the main thing is to consult a doctor immediately.

Chemical burn of the digestive organs

The main symptoms of chemical damage to the digestive system are severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach, vomiting of bloody mucus and particles of burnt mucous. If the reagent gets into the upper part of the larynx, the victim begins to choke.

In the esophagus, the affected area spreads very quickly, so it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim as soon as possible, which consists of neutralizing the chemical reagent that has entered inside.

Professional medical assistance

Regardless of the depth and nature of the injury, in case of a burn with chemicals, you must consult a doctor, since the reagents often quickly spread deep into the tissue, and in a short time a first-degree burn can turn into a second or third burn. In addition, if more than a third of the body is affected, then the person often dies in the first few hours after injury due to the development of a state of shock and organ dysfunction.

In some cases of injury from chemical reagents, the help of qualified specialists is necessary:

• when signs of shock appear (loss of consciousness, pale skin, difficulty breathing) in the victim;
• the wound size exceeds 7.5 cm in diameter;
• damage deeper than the top layer of skin;
• the legs, groin area, buttocks, large joints were affected;
• The victim’s complaints of significant pain that cannot be relieved by painkillers.

Attention, TODAY only!

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, salts of heavy metals, 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. Features, 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're talking about About this type of burn, such as a burn with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, then the affected area turns 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 use a 2% solution of baking soda (2.5 cups of water + 1 teaspoon of 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.

In everyday life, we often encounter thermal burns, and therefore we have some experience in providing first aid. Injuries from burns caused by chemicals occur much less frequently: alkalis, acids, caustic solutions, salts of heavy metals and other chemical compounds. However, none of us is immune from chemical burns, because chemicals surround us everywhere, they have become a part of our everyday life and are often used in production.

The actions of people who unexpectedly receive chemical burns are not always correct: they try to use familiar methods that help with burns received from hot objects. As a result, they aggravate the situation and cause even more harm.

Therefore, let's talk about what first aid is for chemical burns with acid and alkali.

The symptoms of chemical burns are clear - acute pain in the affected area, swelling, possible necrosis of the upper layers of the skin and deeper tissues, and even loss of consciousness due to painful shock; a toxic effect of the chemical on the entire body is also possible.

Alkalis and concentrated acids can have the most severe effect on our skin, destroying it and causing burns of varying severity. How severe and painful the burns will be depends on several factors: the amount of the harmful substance and its concentration, as well as the mechanism and strength of the chemical.

First aid for chemical burns

If acid or alkali has soaked the fabric of clothing, it must be removed very carefully without touching other areas of the skin, possibly even cutting it. Immediately it is necessary to quickly and very carefully remove the chemical from the surface of the skin. And this can only be achieved by washing the burn with a stream of cool running water (without strong pressure). You need to rinse for a long time and thoroughly, because harmful substances very quickly manage to penetrate deep into the tissue. Residual particles may also continue to act. Keep the burn under running water for at least fifteen minutes. Water will also partially relieve pain.

If it was not possible to immediately wash off the chemical, then the washing time is increased two to three times.

There are often cases when they resort to tampons or napkins that are moistened with water. They begin to wipe the affected areas. This cannot be done, because such actions only help the penetration of the chemical into the skin (its aqueous solution is absorbed even faster, and rubbing aggravates the process).

If the first rinsing does not relieve severe pain and the burning continues, it is recommended to continue rinsing with water for some more time.

After the water procedure, it is necessary to neutralize the remaining chemical substance. In case of burns with acid, its effect is neutralized with alkaline solutions, and in case of injury with caustic alkali - with acidic solutions.

A tampon soaked in soapy water or a two percent solution of baking soda (one teaspoon per two and a half glasses of water) or ammonia (0.5%) is applied to acid burns.

A tampon with a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid will help with alkali burns. It is recommended to apply a two percent sugar solution to lime burns to neutralize them. Carbolic acid can be neutralized with glycerin; milk of lime is also suitable.

To reduce pain, you can apply a cold, wet cloth to the affected area. Then you need to apply a sterile gauze bandage. If the burn is not severe, no additional medications are required; it will heal on its own.

It is worth mentioning separately that washing with water should not be done if quicklime comes into contact with the skin (it reacts with water).

When to call an ambulance?

There are situations when, in case of burns with acid or alkali, you need to urgently call for medical help:

1) the victim loses consciousness, pale, breathing shallowly (i.e., with signs of shock);

2) the burn is extensive, more than 7.5 cm in diameter, and it has affected the subcutaneous tissue;

3) affected skin areas in the groin, legs, buttocks, face, arms and large joints; mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, esophagus.

4) a person has unbearable pain that is not relieved by painkillers (for example, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen).

First aid for chemicals in the eyes

Eye burns are very dangerous, so you should consult a doctor promptly. The severity of a chemical burn to the eye will depend on the concentration of the alkali or acid and the urgency of first aid.

First steps: immediately rinse eyes with water. For this you need running water and in large quantities. You need to open your eyelids and pour in water for fifteen minutes. If the burn is caused by acid, then milk or a solution of baking soda (2 percent) will help neutralize it. If the eye is damaged by alkali, then it should be washed with a solution of boric acid (half a teaspoon per glass) or a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. After washing the eyes, it is recommended to apply a dry sterile bandage and take the victim to the hospital.

Chemical damage to the stomach and esophagus

Sometimes a person accidentally or intentionally ingests an acid or alkali. At the same time, he experiences severe pain throughout the entire digestive tract and stomach. When the larynx is damaged, there is a lack of air. There may be vomiting with pieces of bloody mucus. It is urgent to call for medical help and rinse the victim’s stomach.

Most of us have life experience in providing assistance with thermal burns (in everyday life this could be hot tea, coffee or a hot stove). But not many people know what to do if they are burned by an alkali, acid or other chemical reagent. You need to know its symptoms possible consequences, as well as what to do first in case of a chemical burn. In this case first aid is key and will play an important role in subsequent recovery.

Peculiarities

From a scientific point of view, an alkali burn is characterized by the fact that upon contact with human skin, it begins to corrode its tissue (similar to corrosion). At home, such burns are less dangerous than at work. After all, at home we use reagents with significantly lower concentrations:

• Lime (slaked and not);
• Caustic soda;
• Ammonia.

More dangerous, concentrated, toxic substances are used in production, so when an injury occurs, surgical intervention is required much more often and quickly.

Signs of an alkali burn

Such a burn has its own characteristic signs. When alkali gets on our skin, it begins to destroy tissue, and with longer exposure it affects the deep layers of the dermis and fiber. A chemical burn from an alkali is similar to an injury from an acid. A burn from alkali has its own peculiarity - the formation of a scab (a crust covering the surface of the wound). It is soft, loose, and does not have clear boundaries when moving to adjacent areas of the skin; a white tint predominates. Its formation and separation is slow, because of this the healing process of the wound underneath it slows down. Sometimes scars remain at the site of injury.

Characteristic symptoms of an alkali burn:

• Redness of the affected area;
• Skin irritation;
• Slight swelling may occur;
• Accompanied by severe pain, since the substance affects not only the epithelium, but also nearby tissues;
• Burning;
• Feeling of “soapy” skin. This occurs due to the emulsification (secretion) of fats by the sebaceous glands, which are located on the epidermis.

Degree of damage

The severity of an alkali burn and its depth depend on the following factors:

• Volume, concentration and nature of the reagent.
• Duration of contact.

The longer the alkaline solution is exposed, the more concentrated its composition, the stronger the damage will be. There are four degrees of alkali burn:

First degree

Only the top layer of skin tissue is affected. The only signs observed are redness, slight swelling, and tolerable pain at the site of the lesion.

Second degree

The main difference from other degrees is the appearance of small blisters with liquid contents. The deeper layers of the skin are affected. Other symptoms are similar to first-degree lesions.

Third degree

Subcutaneous fat tissue is often affected. The aggressive substance penetrates into even deeper levels of the skin. A sharp pain is felt, large blisters with a cloudy liquid (rarely interspersed with blood) appear. This type of injury cannot be completely treated at home.

Fourth degree

The most dangerous type of burn, since muscles, epithelium, fatty tissue, tendons, and bone tissue are affected. Such an injury poses a great danger to human health and requires surgical intervention in the form of removal of dead tissue and toxic substances.

First aid for alkali burns

Skin burn

First aid for burns with alkali, if provided correctly, significantly reduces the chance negative consequences. First of all, quickly remove any clothing that contains the chemical. Next, the chemical must be eliminated. For alkali burns, the affected area of ​​skin is washed with water and then neutralized chemical properties using acid. At home, you can use a solution of citric acid or acetic acid. It is worth canceling several features of washing:

• If you do it immediately after an injury, the duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. Otherwise, rinsing is carried out for 30 minutes.
• If the composition was in powder form, you first need to remove its remnants from the skin, then you can start washing.
• It is forbidden to use wet wipes or towels, this will only increase the rate of penetration of the substance.
• The exception for washing is quicklime. It is strictly forbidden to contact the affected area with water! The reaction that will arise as a result of their contact will aggravate the situation.
• If the injury is caused by slaked lime, the usual washing is carried out, and then additionally using a sugar solution (10-15 g of sugar per 250 ml of water).

To reduce pain, you can then apply a cold bandage, towel, or napkin. If you receive a second degree burn and you have blisters, do not try to open them under any circumstances. This should only be done by a healthcare professional. You can only apply a sterile bandage to prevent infection, dirt, and dust from getting into the wound.

In more severe cases, when first aid for an alkali burn has been provided, immediately call for medical help. First of all, you need to call a doctor if:

• Signs of shock appear (pallor, decreased breathing, loss of consciousness);
• The radius of the lesion is more than 4 cm;
• The face, eyes, oral cavity, and esophagus are affected.
• Severe pain that could not be relieved with painkillers.

Eye burn

Eye burns from alkali are less common than injury to the surface epithelium. In such a situation, you must quickly call an ambulance. This type of lesion has some of its own, different symptoms.

• Photophobia;
• lacrimation;
• Cutting at the site of damage;
• Not only the eyeball is affected, but also the area around it;
• With complex injuries, vision loss may occur.

The severity of the wound also depends on the temperature of the alkaline substance.

The victim needs emergency help for an eye burn from alkali. The main thing at this moment is to rinse the mucous membrane.

• Pull back the eyelid of the affected eye and carefully, in a thin stream, wash the alkali from the mucous membrane. Duration - 20 minutes.
• Take the patient to the doctor.

Treatment of a chemical burn

What to do if you are burned by alkali? Drug treatment depends on the degree, location, size of the injury. Therapy consists of following the following procedures:

Often, with an alkaline burn, a person loses control and does not understand what to do. But you need to calm down and be aware that providing first aid has a strong impact on the future condition of the victim.

There are different situations in life when people around you or loved ones need first aid. This includes getting into an accident, frostbite, and electric shocks. A common problem is burns. This term refers to tissue damage caused by thermal, electrical, chemical or radiation energy. Today we will look at injuries caused by aggressive substances and first aid for chemical burns.

The need for first aid

Every person should know how first aid is provided. This topic is very relevant, because anyone can find themselves in trouble. This is confirmed by the classification below. People affected by burns are divided into several groups:

• persons injured due to their own negligence or inattention;
• accident victims;
• people who have suffered from the actions of criminals;
• rescue workers.

First aid for mucous membranes is very important. The sooner it occurs, the faster further exposure to traumatic factors stops. Thanks to first aid, serious consequences and even death are prevented.

General information about chemical burns

Chemical burns occur due to the negative impact of aggressive substances on the skin or mucous membranes. The following degrees of damage are distinguished:

• I degree - the affected area becomes swollen, redness of the skin is observed;
• II degree - on damaged and reddened skin, the upper layers of the dermis die (with a thermochemical burn, blisters containing a yellowish liquid appear);
• III degree - tissue necrosis (necrosis) begins in the affected area, which is manifested by a change in skin color;
• IV degree - deep tissues are affected (subcutaneous fat, muscles, bones).

Chemical burns: statistics and severity of injuries

Before considering first aid for chemical burns, it is worth noting that lesions most often occur in people through their own fault. Improper use of various substances at home and neglect of safety rules at work are the main reasons. Statistics show that chemical burns often occur due to exposure to acids (43% of cases). Much less often, lesions of the skin and mucous membranes occur due to the influence of alkalis (in 21.5% of cases).

The severity of chemical burns is determined not by the influence of an external factor, but by the physicochemical changes occurring in the area of ​​injury. Substances that enter the body or mucous membranes destroy tissue until they are neutralized or diluted and removed. The severity of damage is determined by several factors:

• the nature of the chemical;
• duration of contact;
• concentration and volume of the substance;
• mechanism of action;
• degree of penetration into tissue;
• whether first aid for chemical burns and removal of clothing soaked in an aggressive substance was carried out in a timely manner.

General algorithm for providing medical care

When you see a person suffering from a chemical burn, you need to immediately call an ambulance, because only when you are in a medical facility is effective treatment and quick recovery possible. Then you should inspect the scene of the incident in order to understand whether it is dangerous to be there. If there is a threat to life, then you need to call rescuers and other emergency services.

If there is no risk to life, then you can approach the victim and provide first aid for chemical burns. If necessary, it is recommended to use personal protective equipment - masks, gloves. The first step is to remove the chemical-soaked clothing from the victim. This should be done carefully to prevent damage to other parts of the body.

Further assistance depending on the active substance

A person who does not have a medical education is not required to provide medical care. That is why in some cases you can refuse to take any measures. For example, if the substance that caused the burn is unknown, then it is best to wait for specialists to arrive. First medical aid depends on the cause of the chemical injury.

However, the ambulance team does not always arrive quickly when called. In order not to miss valuable time if a dangerous situation arises, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules for providing assistance in advance. They are listed below in the table.

Chemical burns: first aid procedures

Chemical that caused the burn	First measures	Subsequent general measures
Acids and alkalis	Rinse the burn surface thoroughly with running water.	Cover the burn wound with a wide, sterile bandage (you can use a clean, dry cloth). In case of a phosphorus burn, moisten the bandage with a 2-4% soda solution. Lay or sit the victim so that he experiences the least pain. Observe the person until the ambulance arrives.
Phosphorus	Rinse off phosphorus particles with running water.
Quicklime	Do not rinse with water. Wash off the particles with liquid Vaseline or vegetable oil. If possible, remove remaining particles of the substance from the wound.
Phenol, cresol	Do not rinse with water. Use a 40% solution of ethyl alcohol (vodka) for rinsing.

Some features of first aid

The chemical is removed more effectively under a strong stream of water. However, this process is not quick. Chemical burns are washed for a long time:

• in case of acid damage, this process requires from 30 to 60 minutes;
• for damage caused by alkalis - several hours.

The wounds are washed until the burning sensation and pain decrease. If the chemical is powdery, then it is first shaken off and then the surface of the skin is treated with a suitable product.

Chemical burn to the eye: first aid

The eyes are an important organ for perceiving the world around us. Without them it is impossible to fully exist. That is why in case of chemicals it is necessary to provide first aid as quickly as possible in order to preserve vision. In case of contact with acid or alkali, the following actions are recommended:

1. Gently spread the eyelids with your fingers and rinse the eyes generously with cold and clean water. When rinsing, it should flow from the nose to the temple.
2. Cover your eyes with a blindfold. They must both be closed so that movements of the healthy eye do not cause discomfort in the area of ​​the affected eye.
3. After providing first aid, the blindfolded victim must be brought to a medical facility for further treatment.

When first aid is provided for chemical burns, the affected eyes are washed with more than just water. If acid gets in, sometimes use a 2% solution of baking soda. To prepare it, take a glass of boiled water and add baking soda to it on the tip of a table knife.

If alkali gets in contact, the eyes are washed with a 0.1% solution of citric acid. To prepare such a liquid, add a couple of drops of lemon juice to a glass of boiled water.

Common mistakes

People often make mistakes when providing first aid. They try to remove the chemical using wipes or swabs moistened with water. Such products should not be used for burns. The substance is not removed with napkins and tampons, but rubbed into the deep layers of the skin.

Very often, people treat the affected areas with fat, egg yolk, dairy products, urine, and wash with decoctions of medicinal plants. Experts, knowing this, recommend that people not use traditional medicine. First aid for chemical burns provided with the use of the above products can lead to infection of the burn wound. Infection can ultimately cause death.

The importance of visiting a medical facility

A person suffering from chemical burns must be taken to the hospital. The need for treatment in a hospital is primarily due to the fact that aggressive substances penetrate the bloodstream through the skin, wound surface, and mucous membranes and spread throughout the body, disrupting its functioning. For example, when inhaling certain concentrations of ammonia, bromine vapor, strong acids and other similar substances, irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes of the larynx, nasopharynx, hoarseness, pain in the throat, and nosebleeds are observed. Swelling of the larynx and lungs is possible, which is very dangerous.

The listed consequences are not the only ones. When absorbing oxalic or hydrofluoric acid, there is a high probability of developing hypocalcemia. If tannic, formic or picric acid, phosphorus or phenol enters the body, liver and kidney failure and depression of the central nervous system may occur.

Treatment of chemical burns in the hospital

The treatment regimen after first aid for chemical burns includes several components. It includes eliminating the toxic effects of aggressive substances. To do this:

• methods of accelerated removal from human body toxic substances;
• specific (antidote) therapy is used;
• therapeutic measures are carried out aimed at maintaining and restoring impaired body functions.

Treatment of the burn surfaces themselves is determined taking into account the degree of damage. In grades I and II, ointment dressings are used. Medical professionals use drugs that help accelerate tissue regeneration. If suppuration appears, then instead of ointments, bandages moistened with antiseptic solutions are used. For deep burns it is used surgical treatment. First, a necrectomy is performed, during which dead tissue is removed. Afterwards, skin grafting of the defect is performed.

Chemical burns are quite dangerous. You should not rely on traditional medicine or on the fact that everything will heal on its own. In any case, you should contact a specialist after first aid for chemical burns. He will refer you for treatment in a hospital or tell you what can be used to restore minor skin lesions.

First aid for chemical burns will help stabilize the patient’s condition, relieve sharp painful sensations, and prevent complications. The period of further recovery, and sometimes even the life of the victim, largely depends on the correctness of actions.

In case of burns, due to contact with aggressive environments, toxic substances, swelling and redness of the tissue occurs; complex forms cause a violation of the integrity of the skin, and sometimes death.

Risk factors

Basically, such wounds can be provoked in industrial conditions, working in laboratories, in production.

Providing first aid for chemical burns may be needed at any moment. Often an injury occurs at home; if safety rules when working with household chemicals are not followed, there are many causes of a chemical burn at home:

• Preparations for cleaning pipes and toilets.
• Antiseptics based on a synthetic component.
• “Whiteness”, analog whitening products.
• Kerosene, gasoline.
• Preparations for cleaning pools.

In industrial laboratories, such injury can be caused by acids, alkalis, reagents, aggressive environments and similar active elements. First aid for chemical burns will help save health and life, but it is important to know how to provide it correctly, because it differs depending on the aggressive substance.

Degrees and symptoms

The method of treating a chemical burn at the pre-medical stage and further recovery largely depends on the degree and depth of the damage and associated symptoms:

• Grade 1 severity - redness, swelling, moderate pain.
• Level 2 - blisters with a transparent liquid exudate or a scab (crust) are formed, depending on the reagent.
• Stage 3 - severe pain, the skin becomes whitish, and symptoms of chemical injuries such as necrosis appear.
• 4th degree of severity - deep layers, skin, bones, tendons are damaged.

Emergency measures

Damage to the skin

First aid includes the following measures:

1. In the event of a burn caused by chemicals, it is first necessary to eliminate the victim’s contact with the source of damage.
2. Free the skin from excess clothing, remove jewelry and accessories from the injured area.
3. First aid for chemical burns depends on the substance that caused the injury.

Important! In case of injury with quicklime, it is strictly forbidden to wash the area with water, this will aggravate the process of erosion of the epidermis. Remove the substance with a dry cloth or soft, clean cloth, and then apply any greasy product.

1. If the lesion occurs due to contact with a powdered drug, it is necessary to carefully remove its remains from the skin. Only then rinse with water. If first aid for chemical burns is not provided, the injury will increase in size.
2. Rinse the area with cool water for 30 minutes to remove any remaining substances and increase the effectiveness of further therapy.
3. Organic aluminum compounds ignite upon contact with water; they must be removed from the injured area using a dry cloth or cloth. If the skin area is washed and the pain intensifies, the procedure should be stopped.
4. Emergency care for chemical burns includes the need to neutralize the effect of the reagent: treat the injury with acid with soda (1 tsp per 1 glass of water), rinse the alkali with citric or acetic acid (1 tsp per 1 glass of water).
5. The treatment method for chemical burns at the pre-medical stage includes antiseptic drugs. If the integrity of the skin is damaged, blisters or scabs form, the area should be washed with Chlorhexidine, Furacilin, Miramistin.
6. Apply a specialized anti-burn drug that promotes tissue restoration and has anti-inflammatory properties Panthenol, Bepanten, Olazol, Solcoseryl.

Important! When providing first aid for chemical burns, it is not recommended to use wet wipes. Given cosmetic product cannot completely remove the remnants of the substance, and even, on the contrary, promotes their deeper penetration into the skin.

• Emergency actions in case of chemical burns that are extensive require the use of painkillers. To improve general condition The victim is recommended to take Paracetamol, Analgin, Ibuprofen.
• Protect the injured area from external factors and prevent infection by applying a sterile bandage.

First aid for a chemical burn should be started immediately so that the subsequent rehabilitation period is as simple as possible.

Eye damage

Damage to the organ of vision inevitably entails serious consequences, so it is imperative to consult a doctor.

The main signs of injury are:

• Cutting pain.
• Photophobia.
• Profuse lacrimation.

First aid for chemical burns includes the following measures:

1. Open your eyelids as much as possible and rinse your eyes with water (cool, not cold!) for 15-20 minutes.

1. Water can be replaced with milk to eliminate the negative effects of reagents. Particularly effective when alkali gets into the eyes.
2. After applying a dry gauze bandage to the organ of vision, call a doctor. Further treatment rules should be prescribed by a specialist.

Trauma to the esophagus, stomach

First aid for chemical burns to the skin of the gastrointestinal tract should be carried out in a medical facility. Injury to the mouth, trachea, esophagus, or stomach occurs when electrolyte, acid, or other substances are swallowed. Depending on the degree of chemical burns, symptoms may include the following:

• Severe pain at the site of the lesion.
• Burning of the esophagus, stomach.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Vomiting blood.
• Difficulty breathing.

If you are burned by chemicals, you first need to neutralize them.

1. If alkali has been swallowed, drink a vinegar solution (1 tsp per 300 ml of water) to rinse the stomach.
2. When tissue damage is caused by alkali, drink a soda solution (1 tsp per 1 glass of water).
3. When providing first aid for a chemical burn, it is necessary to induce natural vomiting and repeat the procedure with gastric lavage.
4. Before the ambulance arrives, to relieve pain, drink a solution of Novocaine, Lidocaine, and if you can swallow, tablets of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.
5. When the patient has lost consciousness due to severe injuries, bring them back to their senses and give them a sniff of ammonia.

First aid for chemical burns will help prevent serious consequences. When going to the hospital, you need to take with you a container with reagents, a box or a sample of the substance that caused the damage. This allows the doctor to quickly take the necessary actions to neutralize the consequences and prescribe the correct treatment for chemical lesions.

Alternative medicine

At home, there are always medicinal formulations that can reduce painful symptoms. Providing first aid to the victim for chemical burns, using folk remedies, is allowed only for minor injuries.

1. Application made from potato starch. To do this, mix 4 tbsp. l. powder and 150 ml of warm water, bring to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply a thick layer to skin damaged by chemical burns, rinse after 20 minutes with cool water.
2. Tea tea compress. Brew 3 tbsp. l. brew black or green tea, steep and cool to room temperature. Apply gauze soaked in tea leaves to the affected area. Change compresses every 2 hours.

To prevent such injuries at home and at work, you should pay attention to safety rules when working with household products and reagents. And if an injury occurs, try to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Chemical burns occur under the destructive influence of chemicals that cause deep damage to the skin layers.

First aid for chemicals is aimed at stabilizing the pH level of the dermis, which is achieved by thoroughly washing off chemical particles from the affected part of the body with running water. The tactics of subsequent actions depend on the type of reagent, its quantity, duration of exposure, as well as the stage of damage.

Most often, the skin and eyes are affected by caustic reagents. The respiratory system and gastric tract are affected much less frequently. Burns from chemical reagents can occur both at home and at work. Although the risk of such injury on an industrial scale is much greater.

Classification of dangerous lesions

To understand how to provide first aid for a burn, you need to identify which reagent caused the damage.

They can be triggered by the following chemicals:

• Acids;
• Alkalis;
• Other reagents that have an active effect.

Symptoms are manifested by external changes on the skin. Depending on the type of chemical, the damage will vary.

Emergency assistance in the event of exposure to aggressive reagents of chemical origin also depends on the degree of their concentration.

Doctors classify 4 stages of damage by chemical reagents:

1. 1st degree. Characteristics manifest themselves in swelling and redness of damaged skin. Under the influence of an acidic reagent, dry crusts appear. When burned with alkali, the scab becomes wet, and the crust itself appears after a few hours. Sensitivity is preserved, and complete tissue regeneration occurs 6-7 days after the burn.
2. 2nd degree. Damage reaches the deep layers of the skin, resulting in superficial necrosis (death). If the burn is thermochemical, then blisters appear on the damaged areas. Pathological changes in the skin to this extent are most often irreversible.
3. 3rd degree. The death of all layers of the damaged skin area. The tissues become deformed and wrinkled. Severe swelling forms around the injury. The blisters that appear are filled with cloudy or bloody fluid. Sensitivity is impaired: the victim does not feel pain.
4. 4th degree. All tissues are involved in a burn injury: skin layers, muscle fibers, tendons, bones. They all die off.

Pay attention!

Violation of the integrity of the skin continues even after its interaction with the chemical reagent has been eliminated. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the stage of damage immediately after the burn.

During the period of providing first aid for chemical burns, it is necessary to assess the level of damage to the skin, as well as the depth of the burned tissue. The more dermis exposed to dangerous reagents, the more dangerous it is for the victim.

Specifics of urgent measures

Providing first aid for chemical burns requires following a certain sequence. The success of further therapy depends on the correctness and coordination of the rescuer’s actions.

Emergency assistance includes the following actions:

• Remove from the victim’s body all items of clothing that have been in contact with chemical reagents;
• Clean the burned dermis with clean water for 15-20 minutes (if you have exposed the skin for a long time, increase the cleansing time).

Pay attention!

Do not use wet wipes or cloth as a cleaning agent to remove reagents!

If the burn is caused by slaked lime, the remaining substance is washed off with sunflower oil or liquid petroleum jelly. If a person is burned with phenol or creosol, the wound is treated with vodka.

The next stage, which includes first aid for chemical burns, is to ensure the safety of the wound from reagents that have already entered. If an acid burn is recorded, the injured area is cleaned with water and soda dissolved in it or with ordinary soap. After the resulting alkaline burn, you need to apply citric acid. If it is not available, you can use a vinegar solution. If the patient experiences severe pain, first aid includes providing the victim with relief.

After neutralizing the wound, the injured area is covered with clean gauze. These actions are necessary to maximally protect the victim from possible infections.

Pay attention!

The use of cotton wool as a protective bandage is prohibited!

Further actions are carried out in a medical facility by professionals, since burns of this type necessarily require examination and consultation with doctors.

Qualified first aid for chemical burns is necessary in the following cases:

• Victim in deep;
• The person has trouble breathing;
• The natural color of the skin is disturbed;
• Chemicals got into the eyes, onto the mucous membranes of the mouth, into the digestive tract, and into the groin area;
• Severe pain is not relieved by analgesics;
• Significant area of ​​burn damage;
• The depth of the wound reaches 6 cm.

Pay attention!

If you know what chemical caused the burn, you must report it. medical workers. If there are chemical residues, they should be submitted to doctors for examination.

Damage to the eyes and esophagus

Despite the fact that the skin is more often burned, damage to the eyes and esophagus by chemical reagents cannot be ruled out.

Damage to the eyes by chemicals is a dangerous injury that can lead to complete blindness. Moreover, with burns, the delicate skin around them is always damaged. Therefore, after providing the victim necessary assistance, he must be immediately transported to a medical facility.

How dangerous eye burns from chemicals are is determined by the following factors:

• Compound;
• Concentration of hazardous substance;
• Eye health before burn;
• Speed ​​of providing first aid.

The symptoms of eye burns are specific. The patient experiences cutting pain, cannot look at the light, and begins to experience profuse lacrimation.

First aid for burns with acids and alkalis in this case is to immediately cleanse the eyes under running water. Remember that the safety of the victim’s vision will depend on how quickly you eliminate direct contact with chemicals.

After the eyes are thoroughly washed, a clean bandage is placed on them. Remember that cotton wool cannot be used in this case.

If you are burned by alkali, you can wash your eyes with milk. There is no need to waste precious time trying to find neutralizing drops. It is better to send the patient to the hospital as quickly as possible, where he can receive qualified medical care.

A burn to the gastrointestinal tract occurs after accidental or intentional ingestion of alkalis or acids. Symptomatic manifestations of damage are pronounced:

• Severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach;
• When the larynx is burned, a person does not have enough air: he begins to choke;
• Vomiting begins, filled with mucus, blood and pieces of burned mucous membrane.

This requires immediate hospitalization. However, before the doctors arrive, the patient’s stomach needs to be cleared. If it is burned with acids, use a soda solution. In case of alkali poisoning, prepare a weak solution using acetic acid.

Pay attention!

The victim should drink a lot of fluids. This is the only way to weaken the effect of chemicals on the body and promote their rapid elimination.

Treatment

After the chemical reagent is eliminated from the body, restoration of the damaged areas of the dermis begins. Systemic drug therapy is used to eliminate pain and restore damaged skin layers.

For minor injuries of the 1st degree, under the supervision of a doctor, you can use traditional medicine. These include the use of raw potatoes, cucumber juice, strongly brewed black tea, and potato starch. All of these products have cooling and healing properties for burned skin.

Here are examples of two of the most popular and effective recipes.

• Starch mask

Starch must be thoroughly diluted in warm water to form a paste reminiscent of sour cream. The finished mask is placed on the affected area of ​​the skin in a thick layer and kept for 20 minutes. Then wash off with water.

• "Black compress"

Brew a few spoons of black tea in any convenient way;
Give it time to cool to room temperature;
When ready, wet clean gauze and apply it to the burned skin.
As soon as the homemade compress heats up under the influence of the body, it needs to be changed.