How to treat an alkaline burn. Alkaline burn

The mechanism of occurrence of a chemical burn with alkali

Chemical burns are injuries that are difficult to treat and are the result of exposure to chemical active substances by contact with open areas of the skin or organs of the body. The "culprits" of chemical destruction of the skin and soft tissues are most often acids, alkalis, salt evaporation heavy metals, which are used both in production and in everyday life. Most often, accidents occur due to careless handling of chemicals or as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

Alkali is a category of chemicals that must be handled with extreme care. Alkaline burns are one of the most dangerous types of injuries, since when exposed to open areas of the body, the integrity of the skin is violated, with further soft tissue injuries. The danger that is caused to health from exposure to alkali depends on several factors:

• The concentration of a substance and its quantity.
• The extent of the area that was burned and the severity of the damage.
• Time of exposure of the substance in contact with the skin area.

Domestic and industrial chemical burns differ in the level of threat to health for the victim, since the concentration of alkalis used in household appliances and in production has serious differences.

Alkali burn: symptoms

Symptoms of alkali burns may differ depending on exactly how and under what circumstances the misfortune occurred. It is not uncommon for non-compliance elementary rules safety lead to the fact that the substance is inadvertently or negligently taken inside. In these cases, immediately after use, the first signs appear that can determine the degree and type of chemical burn:

• The appearance of spasms, in which there is difficulty with swallowing.
• On the lips, tongue there are lesions characteristic of tissue necrosis.
• Profuse salivation.
• Difficulty in speaking, swelling vocal cords and larynx, attacks of suffocation.
• State of shock.
• The appearance of sharp pains in the chest.
• Vomiting blood.
• Increase in body temperature.
• The fall blood pressure as a result of internal hemorrhages.

In case of injuries of the skin, the symptoms resemble classic burns:

• Irritation of the skin area on which the substance has fallen.
• Numb feeling.
• The damaged area has a "soapy" surface.
• The presence of edema.
• Burning.
• Pain sensations.

Depending on the duration of the period of contact of the substance with the skin area, the symptoms may vary in severity.

Alkali burn: first aid

The loss of precious time while waiting for an ambulance can have a costly impact on the health of the victim in the future. Timely assistance with alkali burns is one of the most valuable factors for the treatment of the disease in the future. Rule number 1 in providing first aid for chemical burns is to relieve pain and neutralize the substance that caused negative impact by contact with the skin or organs of the body. The reason for calling an ambulance for chemical burns is:

• The presence of shock.
• Frequent shallow breathing, unnatural pallor.
• The area of ​​tissue and skin damage exceeds 8 cm in circumference.
• Reagent damage to areas respiratory tract, oral cavity, eyes, buttocks, esophagus.
• The presence of severe pain that cannot be removed with the help of existing drugs.

According to the severity of destruction, alkaline burns are divided into four degrees:

• First. Accompanied by slight swelling (hyperemia) and redness of the skin area that had contact with the substance, a feeling of discomfort, minor pain symptoms.
• Second. There are damages to the upper layer of the skin area with slight penetration deep into, without affecting soft tissues accompanied by burning at the burn site, pain.
• Third. The integrity of the skin is violated to a considerable depth, tissues are injured. It is accompanied by sharp pain, the appearance of blisters of various sizes with the presence of fluid inside.
• Fourth. The most dangerous degree in relation not only to health, but also to human life. Destruction of large areas of skin is observed, muscle mass. In especially dangerous cases, they are affected bone structure and tendons.

In the second and third degree, the area of ​​the affected area exceeds 8 cm in diameter of the wound in the absence of blisters, but the presence of a loose crust, pale gray or dark brown, which appears immediately after the burn.

Alkali burns: first aid

timely first aid, rendered after the defeat of skin areas when alkali enters, can be most seriously reflected not only on the state of health of the victim, but in especially dangerous cases on his life. First aid is usually provided medical team, which was the first to appear on a call to the scene. If for some reason the ambulance is delayed, it is necessary to independently organize measures to provide first aid to the victim.

First aid for alkali burns

• It is necessary to remove or cut off clothing that contains chemical components.
• Affected chemical patches are washed away clean water. The more carefully this procedure(at least 20 minutes), the more likely it is to reduce the effect of the reagent on the skin area that has come into contact with the chemical. If you wait for an ambulance for a long time, washing must be repeated.
• If necessary, cleansing the affected area from exposure to the substance is carried out with a clean towel or napkins abundantly moistened with running water.
• Powdered alkali is removed from the skin with dry wipes or any tissue that is at hand, and only then can the burnt areas be washed.
• The alkali neutralization reaction is one of the conditions for providing first aid, which is performed using acetic acid, or any other food acid.
• A clean cloth applied to the affected area, moistened with cold water, will help to remove for a while pain syndrome.

In the absence of information about what kind of substance caused the burn, it is forbidden to carry out a reagent neutralization measure.

If a chemical burn occurs after contact with slaked lime when washing the affected area, it is necessary to use slightly sweetened water, which will reduce the effect of the reagent.

Alkali burn: treatment

After diagnosing and determining the degree of damage, medications and procedures for the treatment of consequences chemical burns.

Pharmacological preparations

For first-degree chemical burns, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Synthomycin liniment. Antibiotic of bacteriostatic action aimed at suppressing the development of microbes of gram-positive and gram-negative types. Cleans and heals burn wounds by applying an ointment or emulsion to the affected areas of the skin.
• Oxycyclosol. The drug is used as an aerosol, has destructive effects in relation to the formation of protein synthesis in microorganisms, the method of application is dermal.
• Panthenol. Promotes tissue regeneration with a moderate anti-inflammatory effect. It is prescribed for all types of burns of the first and second degree, minor wounds, dermatitis, treatment of trophic ulcers.

In addition to the listed drugs for the treatment of chemical burns, various ointments are used that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities: Vishnevsky ointment, Rescuer, Levomekal, Dermazin and others.

Folk remedies

Treatment of chemical burns of 1 and 2 degrees is acceptable at home, using folk remedies, which contribute to the healing of areas affected by contact with the skin of alkalis and other active substances.

• Egg . There are two recipe options: chicken yolk mixed with butter(1 tbsp.) kneaded to the state of ointment and use the egg as a whole, after beating it.
• Raw potatoes. Previously, the product is rubbed on a grater and applied as a compress.
• Representatives of the plant world: plantain, Kalanchoe, burdock, aloe.
• Sauerkraut.
• Bee products: propolis, wax, honey.
• Dairy products: kefir, sour cream, curdled milk.

All measures for the treatment of burns must be carried out in compliance with the rules of hygiene, in which it is forbidden to use non-sterile tissues, bandages, tampons, as well as unclean containers in which drugs and their components are stored. Disposable gloves should be used before procedures, or at least hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.

Consequences of a burn with alkali

Even if first aid is provided in a timely manner, the consequences of exposure to chemical burns can be very serious in terms of the degree of damage to both parts of the body and its organs.

Specialists identify the main defects of organs and parts of the body that remain as a consequence of burn cases:

• Violation of the organs of vision. The consequences of burns can be displayed on vision by a decrease in acuity, the presence of inflammatory processes, scar formation. There is no point in repeating about the seriousness that awaits when alkalis get into the eyes: delay in treatment, or an improperly conducted medical care event, threatens with the most serious consequences, up to zero loss of vision.
• Burns of the esophagus. If health care provided on time and all activities were carried out correctly, the consequence of burns with alkali of the esophagus will look like scars, which over time, by carrying out plastic surgery are removed.
• Skin burns. After the wounds have healed, possible consequences are scars, which, depending on the location, are removed through plastic surgery.

The seriousness of the danger from the effects of chemical burns is not only great, it can be fatal to health, so all work with devices and active substances should be carried out strictly in compliance with safety regulations in combination with the use of individual means protection.

Chemical burns: causes, symptoms and signs, first aid measures and complex treatment Many chemicals are powerful enough to destroy the tissues of the human body. Concentrated acids and alkalis have the greatest destructive potential. When exposed to acids and alkalis on the human body, chemical burns are formed. First aid for chemical burns includes copious washing of the burn site with running water to remove the aggressive substance, applying a sterile bandage to the burn site. If the chemical was swallowed or got into the eyes, in addition to washing the stomach or eyes, you need to call ambulance. A chemical burn is tissue damage that occurs under the action of acids, alkalis, salts of heavy metals, caustic liquids and other chemically active substances. Chemical burns occur as a result of industrial injuries, safety violations, accidents at home, as a result of suicide attempts, and so on. The depth and severity of a chemical burn depends on: According to the severity and depth of tissue damage, burns are divided into 4 degrees:

I degree (lesion of the epidermis, the upper layer of the skin). With a first degree burn, there is slight redness, swelling, and slight soreness in the affected area of ​​the skin. II degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin). A second-degree burn is characterized by the appearance of blisters with transparent contents on reddened and swollen skin. III degree (damage to the deeper layers of the skin up to the subcutaneous adipose tissue) is characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with a cloudy liquid or bloody contents, and a violation of sensitivity (the burn area is painless). IV degree burn (damage to all tissues: skin, muscles, tendons up to the bones).

Most often, chemical burns of the skin are burns of III and IV degrees. In case of burns with acids and alkalis, a scab (crust) is formed at the site of the burn. The scab formed after burns with alkalis is whitish, soft, loose, passing to neighboring tissues without sharp boundaries. Alkaline fluids are more destructive than acidic ones due to their ability to penetrate deep into tissues. In acid burns, the eschar is usually dry and hard, with a sharply demarcated line at the junction with healthy skin. Acid burns are usually superficial. The color of the affected skin, with a chemical burn, depends on the type of chemical agent. Skin burned with sulfuric acid is first white, and subsequently changes color to gray or brown. With a burn nitric acid- the affected area of ​​the skin has a light yellow-green or yellow-brown tint. Hydrochloric acid - leaves burns yellow color, acetic - off-white burns, carbolic acid - white, then turning into brown. A burn caused by concentrated hydrogen peroxide has a grayish tint. Destruction of tissue under the influence of a chemical continues even after the cessation of direct contact with it, since the absorption of the chemical in the burned area continues for some time. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine the degree of tissue damage in the first hours or even days after an injury. The true depth of the burn is usually revealed only 7-10 days after the chemical burn, when the scab begins to suppurate. The severity and danger of a chemical burn depends not only on the depth, but also on its area. The larger the area of ​​the burn, the more dangerous it is for the life of the victim. First aid for chemical burns of the skin First aid for chemical burns of the skin includes: prompt removal of the chemical from the affected surface, reducing the concentration of its residues on the skin due to abundant washing with water, cooling the affected areas in order to reduce pain. In the event of a chemical burn to the skin, take the following measures:

• Immediately remove any clothing or jewelry that has come into contact with chemicals.
• To eliminate the cause of the burn, wash the chemicals off the surface of the skin by holding the affected area under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. If help with a chemical burn is provided with some delay, the duration of washing is increased to 30-40 minutes. Do not try to remove chemicals with water-soaked wipes or swabs from the affected area of ​​the skin - this will rub the chemical into the skin even more. If the aggressive substance that caused the burn has a powdery structure (for example, lime), then you should first remove the remnants of the chemical and only then proceed to washing the burnt surface. The exception is cases where, due to the chemical nature of the agent, contact with water is contraindicated. For example, aluminum and its organic compounds ignite when combined with water.
• If the burning sensation worsens after the first washing of the wound, rinse the burnt area again with running water for a few more minutes.
• After washing a chemical burn, it is necessary to neutralize the effect of chemicals if possible. If you get burned by acid, wash the affected area with soapy water or a 2% solution of baking soda (that's 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 2.5 cups of water) to neutralize the acid. If you are burned with alkali, then wash the damaged area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin with a weak solution. citric acid or vinegar. For lime burns, a 20% sugar solution is used to neutralize. Carbolic acid is neutralized by glycerin and milk of lime.
• Apply a cold, damp cloth or towel to the affected area to relieve pain.
• Then apply a loose dressing of a dry sterile bandage or a clean, dry cloth to the burned area.

Minor chemical burns to the skin usually heal without further treatment. For a chemical burn, seek emergency medical attention if:

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

When you go to the emergency room, take a container of chemical or detailed description substances for its identification. The known nature of the chemical makes it possible, when providing assistance in a hospital, to neutralize it, which is usually difficult to do at home. Chemical burns to the eyes Chemical eye burns occur when acids, alkalis, lime, ammonia and other aggressive chemicals in domestic or industrial conditions. All chemical eye burns are serious eye injuries and therefore require direct examination and treatment by a doctor. The severity of eye burns depends on the chemical composition, concentration, quantity and temperature of the substance that caused the burn, on the condition of the eyes of the victim and the general reactivity of the body, as well as on the timeliness and quality of first aid to the victim. Regardless of the type of chemical, eye burns are usually accompanied by severe subjective sensations: photophobia, cutting pains in the eye and lacrimation, in severe cases, loss of vision. At the same time, the skin around the eyes is affected. First aid for chemical burns of the eye should be provided immediately. The main measure in first aid for chemical burns of the eyes is the immediate and abundant washing of the eyes with running water. Open the eyelids and flush the eye for 10-15 minutes with a gentle stream of running water to remove the chemical. You should not waste time looking for a neutralizer, since plenty of eyewash with running water is much more effective. For burns with alkalis, milk can be used for washing. After washing, it is necessary to apply a dry bandage (a piece of bandage or gauze). But most importantly - in all cases of chemical eye burns - see a doctor as soon as possible. Chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach Chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach occur when accidental or deliberate (with suicidal intent) ingestion of concentrated acids (acetic essence, battery electrolyte) or alkalis (ammonia). The main symptoms of chemical burns of the digestive system are reduced to severe pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach. If at the same time the upper part of the larynx is burned, the patients begin to suffocate. Vomiting appears with bloody mucus and scraps of burnt mucous membrane. Due to the rapid spread of the burn through digestive tract first aid should be provided as soon as possible. First aid for chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach is to neutralize chemical agents. For burns with alkalis, the stomach is washed with a weak solution of acetic acid, and for burns with acids, with a solution of baking soda. Be sure to wash the stomach with large amounts of liquid, achieving complete removal of the chemical agent that caused the burn. A victim with a burn of the esophagus or stomach should be sent to the first-aid post or hospital as soon as possible.

In everyday life, we are more likely to encounter thermal burns, and therefore we have some experience in first aid. Much less often, injuries from burns occur with chemicals: alkalis, acids, caustic solutions, salts of heavy metals and other chemical compounds. However, none of us is safe from chemical burns, because chemicals surround us everywhere, they have firmly entered our everyday life and are often used in production.

The actions of people who suddenly get 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, cause even more harm.

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

Symptoms of chemical burns are obvious - these are sharp pain of the affected area, swelling, possible necrosis of the upper layers of the skin and deeper tissues, and even loss of consciousness due to pain shock, it is also possible toxic effect chemical throughout the body.

Alkalis and concentrated acids can most strongly affect our skin, destroying them and causing burns. varying degrees gravity. How severe and painful the burns will be depends on several conditions: on the amount of the harmful substance and its concentration, as well as on the mechanism and strength of the chemical.

First aid for chemical burns

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

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

It is not uncommon to resort to the help of 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 water solution absorbed even faster, and rubbing aggravates the process).

In the case when the first washing did not relieve severe pain, and the burning sensation continues, it is recommended to continue washing with water for some more time.

After water treatment chemical residues must be neutralized. In case of burns with acid, its action is neutralized with alkaline solutions, and in case of injury with caustic alkali, with acidic ones.

A swab dipped in soapy water or a 2% solution is applied to acid burns. baking soda(one teaspoon for two and a half glasses of water), or ammonia (0.5%).

An alkali burn will be helped by a swab with a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid. To neutralize lime burns, it is advised to apply a two percent sugar solution. Carbolic acid can be neutralized with glycerin, milk of lime is also suitable.

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

Separately, it should be said that washing with water should not be done if quicklime gets on the skin (it enters into a reaction 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, is pale, breathing is shallow (i.e., with signs of shock);

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

3) affected skin areas in the groin, legs, buttocks, face, hands 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 need to see a doctor in a timely manner. The severity of a chemical eye burn will depend on the concentration of alkali or acid and the urgency of first aid.

First steps: Rinse eyes immediately with water. This requires running water and in large numbers. It is required to push the eyelids and pour water for fifteen minutes. If the burn occurred from acid, then milk or a solution of baking soda (two percent) will help neutralize it. If the eye has suffered from alkali, then it should be washed with a solution 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 deliberately ingests an acid or alkali. At the same time, he experiences severe pain in the entire alimentary tract and stomach. When the larynx is affected, there is a lack of air. There may be vomiting with pieces of bloody mucous. It is urgent to call for medical help and wash the stomach of the victim.

Most of us have life experience in helping with thermal burns(in everyday life it can be hot tea, coffee or a hot stove). But not many people know what to do if they get burned with an alkali, acid or other chemical reagent. You need to know the symptoms possible consequences, as well as what to do with a chemical burn first of all. In this case, first aid is of key importance, and it will 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 tissues (similar to corrosion). At home, such burns are less dangerous than at work. After all, at home we use reagents with a concentration much lower:

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

In production, more dangerous, concentrated, toxic substances are used, therefore, in case of injury, surgical intervention is required much more often and sooner.

Signs of an alkali burn

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

Typical symptoms of an alkali burn:

• Redness of the affected area;
• Skin irritation;
• Slight swelling is possible;
• Accompanied severe pain, since the substance affects not only the epithelium, but also the approximate tissues;
• Burning;
• Sensation of "soapy" skin. This is due to the emulsification (release) of fats. sebaceous glands located on the epidermis.

Degrees of damage

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

• Volume, concentration and nature of the reagent.
• Contact duration.

The longer the alkaline solution acts, 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. Of the signs, only redness, slight swelling, and tolerable pain at the site of the lesion are observed.

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. The remaining symptoms are similar to those of the first degree.

Third degree

Often the subcutaneous adipose tissue suffers. Aggressive substance penetrates even deeper levels of the skin. There is a sharp pain, already large blisters appear with a cloudy liquid (rarely interspersed with blood). Such an injury cannot be completely treated at home.

fourth degree

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

First aid for alkali burns

Skin burn

First aid for burns with alkali, if properly provided, significantly reduces the chance negative consequences. First of all, quickly remove clothing where the chemical reagent has entered. Next, the chemical must be eliminated. In case of alkali burns, the affected area of ​​the skin is washed with water and then neutralized. Chemical properties with 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 the injury, the duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. Otherwise, washing is carried out for 30 minutes.
• If the composition was in powder form, it is first necessary to remove its remnants from the skin, then you can proceed to washing.
• It is forbidden to use wet wipes or towels, this will only increase the rate of penetration of the substance.
• Washing is an exception. 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 due to slaked lime, the usual washing is carried out, and then an additional one with a sugar solution (10-15 g of sugar per 250 ml of water).

To reduce pain, you can then apply a cold bandage, towel, napkin. If you get a second-degree burn and you have blisters, do not try to open them in any case. This should only be done by a medical professional. You can only apply a sterile bandage so that infection, dirt, and dust do not get into the wound.

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

• There are signs of shock (pallor, weakened breathing, loss of consciousness);
• The radius of the lesion is more than 4 cm;
• Affected face, eyes, oral cavity, esophagus.
• Severe pain syndrome, which could not be relieved with painkillers.

Eye burn

Alkali burns to the eye are less common than trauma to the surface epithelium. In such a situation, you need to quickly call an ambulance. This type The lesion has some of its own, differing symptoms.

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

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

The victim needs urgent care with alkali burns to the eyes. The main thing at this moment is to rinse the mucosa.

• Move the eyelid of the affected eye and gently, with a thin stream, wash the alkali from the mucous membrane. Duration - 20 minutes.
• Take the patient to the doctor.

Chemical burn treatment

What to do with an alkali burn? Medical treatment depends on the degree, localization, size of the injury. Therapy consists in following the 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 the provision of first aid has a strong influence on the future condition of the victim.

Chemical burns: causes, signs and symptoms, first aid measures and complex therapy
Almost all chemicals are endowed with the necessary power, which can have a destructive effect on tissues. human body. Especially strong in this regard are alkalis and concentrated acids. As soon as they begin to affect the human body, they immediately arise chemical. First aid with such burns, it provides, first of all, a thorough washing of the affected area with running water, since this is the only way to get rid of the aggressive component. After that, 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 very first thing to do is rinse the eye or stomach, and then get the advice of an ambulance doctor.

chemical burn is tissue damage resulting from exposure to salts of heavy metals, acids, caustic liquids, alkalis or any other chemical active ingredients. This kind of burns occur due to safety violations, due to domestic accidents, as a result of derivative injuries or suicide attempts. There are other factors contributing to their development. The severity, as well as the depth of such burns, directly depends on the following factors:

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

According to the depth, as well as the severity of tissue damage, there are four degrees of chemical burns:

First degree (damage to the upper layer of the skin, epidermis). In this case, there is a slight swelling, redness, as well as 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 a 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 a cloudy liquid or bloody contents. At the same time, there is a violation of sensitivity, that is, a person does not experience pain in the area of ​​​​the affected area.

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

In most cases, chemical burns are third And fourth degree.

If the burn occurred under the influence of alkalis and acids, then a so-called scab or crust appears at the site of the lesion. The crust that occurs 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 tissues, 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. If the skin has been exposed to sulfuric acid, then initially it acquires White color, and only then becomes brown or gray. If the skin has been burned with nitric acid, then the affected area acquires a yellow-brown or light yellow-green hue. Hydrochloric acid tends to leave yellowish burns, but acetic acid tends to leave an off-white color. With carbolic acid burns, the affected area first becomes white, and only then brown. In the case of a burn with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, the affected area acquires a gray tint.

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

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 thorough washing with water, and cooling the affected area in order to reduce pain.

In the event 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 wash the affected area in a timely manner, then the washing time is increased to thirty to forty minutes. Do not try to get rid of chemicals with tampons or wipes moistened with water, as this will cause even stronger penetration into skin covering. If the chemical component is endowed with a powder form, then first you need to remove its remnants from the skin and only after that proceed to washing the affected area. Exceptions to the rule are cases when there is a categorical contraindication for the interaction of a chemical component with water. This applies, for example, to aluminum, since the organic compounds of this substance tend to ignite on contact with water.
• If after the first washing a person begins to experience even more strong feeling 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 the event of an acid burn, seek help. soapy water or a 2% solution of baking soda. It is not difficult to prepare such a solution: you should 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 2% sugar solution. Carbolic acid can be neutralized with milk of lime and glycerin.
• Pain can be relieved with cold wet tissue or towels that should be applied to the affected area.
• After that, we apply a loose bandage made of a clean, dry cloth or a dry sterile bandage to the affected surface.

If the burn is not severe, then it heals without any medication.

With a chemical burn, urgent medical attention is needed in the following cases:

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

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

Chemical burns to the eyes
Chemical burns to the eyes are the result of lime, acids, ammonia, alkalis or other chemical components entering the area at work or at home. In fact, burns in this area are extremely dangerous, which is why they require timely access to a specialist doctor. The severity of chemical eye burns is determined by the concentration, temperature, chemical composition, as well as the amount of the substance that provoked 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 has the following subjective sensations: lacrimation, fear of light, cutting pains in the eye area. In very severe cases, the patient may lose sight altogether. 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 soon as possible. We move the eyelids apart and wash the eye for ten to fifteen minutes. In this case, water is the main neutralizer of chemical components. If the burn is the result 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 stomach and esophagus are the result of deliberate or accidental ingestion of alkalis such as ammonia or concentrated acids such as: battery electrolyte or vinegar essence. TO clear signs such burns can be classified as very strong pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. If the larynx has also been affected, then the patient begins to experience a lack of air. In addition, vomiting makes itself felt, containing in its composition bloody mucus and pieces of burned mucous membrane. Since this kind of burns spread very quickly, the patient needs immediate first aid, which includes, first of all, 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 for a burn with alkalis. In this case, a person needs to be given to drink not just a large, but a really huge amount of liquid, which will make it possible to completely get rid of the chemical component. With such burns, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible or take the patient to the hospital yourself.