Chemical Burn, Adult (Easy to read)

Elsevier Patient Education © 2023 Elsevier Inc..
Last revised: October 6, 2023.

A chemical burn is an injury to the skin. The parts of the body below the skin can also be injured. This condition is caused when the body comes in contact with a chemical that burns.

A chemical burn can be more serious than other burns. This is because the chemical is normally on the skin for a long time. In some cases, some chemicals keep causing damage even after they have been taken off the skin.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by swallowing, breathing in, touching, or being touched by a chemical that burns.

What increases the risk?

A chemical burn is more likely to happen to people who are exposed to chemicals at work.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition depend on the type of chemical that caused the burn and how the burn happened.

Common symptoms include:
- Color changes of the skin. Your skin may lose color, turn red, or turn darker.
- Blisters.
- Rash.
- Dry, flaky skin.
- A type of acne.
- Burning or aching pain.
- Itching.
If you breathe in a chemical, symptoms can include:
- Burning eyes or nose.
- Sore throat.
- Coughing.
If you swallow the chemical, or if the chemical enters the body through a wound, it can cause damage to:
- The liver, kidneys, or bladder.
- Your body’s disease-fighting system (immune system).
- The brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- The nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs.

After some time, other symptoms may also occur. These include scarring, shrinking of the skin, and change in skin color.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by washing or brushing the chemical off the skin. Clothes will be removed if they have the chemical on them. After this, you may receive two types of treatment:

Treatment that you can receive right away

Oxygen to help you breathe.
Antibiotic medicine to fight infection.
Pain medicine.
Fluids through an IV tube.
Bandages (dressings).
Surgery to remove dead tissue.
A tetanus shot.

Treatment that you may receive for a longer time

Breathing support. You may be given oxygen using a machine (ventilator).
Changing wound bandages often.
Antibiotics.
Surgery. This may be done to:
- Remove dead tissue.
- Repair the burned area using skin from another part of your body (skin graft).
- Repair organs or other damaged tissue.
Exercises to improve movement and strength (physical therapy).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

Take or use over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Burn care

Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your burn. This includes:
- How to clean your burn.
- When and how you should take off your bandage.
Check your burn every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- More redness, swelling, or pain.
- Fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
Keep the bandage dry until your doctor says it can be taken off.
Do not take baths, swim, use a hot tub, or do anything that would put your burn underwater until your doctor approves. Ask your doctor if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
Do not put ice on your burn. This can cause more damage.

Activity

Rest as told by your doctor. Do not exercise until your doctor says it is okay.
Do exercises to improve movement (range of motion), if told by your doctor.

General instructions

Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
Do not scratch or pick at the burn.
Do not break any blisters you may have. Do not peel any skin.
Protect your burn from the sun.
Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
Do not put butter, oil, or other home remedies on your burn.
Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

How is this prevented?

Avoid chemicals that can cause burns.
Wear gloves and equipment that protect you when you touch dangerous chemicals.
Make sure all dangerous chemicals are labeled.
Ask about dangerous chemicals in your workplace. Ask if safer chemicals can be used instead.
Make sure there is enough clean air in any place that has dangerous chemicals.
Keep your skin clean and moist (moisturized). Dry skin is more likely to be hurt by chemicals.

Contact a doctor if:

You got a tetanus shot and you have any of these problems in the area of the shot:
- Swelling.
- Very bad pain.
- Redness.
- Bleeding.
Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
Medicine does not help your pain.
You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your burn.
Your burn feels warm to the touch.

Get help right away if:

You develop any signs of infection, such as:
- Red streaks near the burn.
- Fluid, blood, or pus coming from the burn.
- A bad smell coming from your burn.
You have very bad swelling.
You have very bad pain.
You have a fever.
You lose feeling (have numbness) or have tingling in the burned area or farther down your legs or arms.
You have trouble breathing, or you are coughing or breathing loudly (wheezing).
You have chest pain.

Summary

A chemical burn is an injury to your skin. The parts below the skin can also be injured. Some chemicals keep causing damage even after they have been taken off the skin.
A chemical burn is more likely to happen to people who are exposed to chemicals at work.
To prevent a chemical burn, avoid chemicals that can cause burns. Wear gloves and equipment that protect you when you touch dangerous chemicals.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Medical knowledge, Patient Education