Medical knowledge, Patient Education

Chemical Burn, Adult

Posted on by CheapBook

Chemical Burn, Adult

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

Chemical Burn, Adult

A chemical burn is an injury to the skin. The structures below the skin can also be injured, such as the lungs and other internal organs. This type of burn is caused by coming into contact with a chemical that can damage and kill tissue (caustic chemical). Common caustic chemicals are found in fertilisers, household cleaners, and drain cleaners.

A chemical burn can be more serious than other burns. Some chemicals continue to cause damage even after they have been removed from the skin.

What are the causes?

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

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to get a chemical burn if you work in a place where chemicals are made, stored or used. These include working in manufacturing, medicine, farming and mining.

What are the signs or symptoms?

image
Symptoms of this condition depend on the type of chemical that caused the burn and the way the chemical came in contact with the body. Symptoms may continue to get worse even after the chemical has been removed.

  • Common symptoms include:

    • Colour changes of the skin. Your skin may lose colour (blanch), turn red or turn darker.

    • Blistered skin.

    • Rash.

    • Dry, flaky skin.

    • A type of acne (chloracne) that results from exposure to certain chemicals.

    • Burning or aching pain.

    • Itching.

  • If the chemical is breathed in, or inhaled, symptoms include eye or nose irritation, sore throat, or coughing.

  • If the chemical is swallowed (ingested) or absorbed into the body through a wound, it can damage:

    • Organs, including the liver, kidneys and bladder.

    • The immune system, the nervous system, or the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs (respiratory system).

Later symptoms may include scarring, shrinking of the skin and permanent change in skin colour.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with your medical history and physical examination. Your healthcare provider will check how deep the burn is and how much of your skin surface it covers. You may be diagnosed with a:

  • First-degree burn, if the burn only affects the outer layer of skin (epidermis).

  • Second-degree burn, if the burn extends into the second layer of skin (dermis).

  • Third-degree burn, if the burn extends through the dermis and into deeper tissue (hypodermis).

Your blood pressure, heart rate and urine output may also be measured. If the injury is severe, you may also have:

  • Blood tests.

  • A test to check the heart’s electrical activity (electrocardiogram, or ECG).

  • A chest X-ray.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by removing the caustic chemical. The skin will be washed or brushed to remove the chemical. Clothes will be removed if they have the chemical on them. After the chemical is removed, you may receive:

  • Oxygen to help you breathe.

  • Antibiotics to fight infection.

  • Painkillers.

  • Fluids through an IV tube.

  • Bandages (dressings).

  • A procedure to remove dead tissue (debridement).

  • A tetanus shot.

Long-term burn care may include:

  • Breathing support. You may be given oxygen using a machine (ventilator).

  • Frequent wound dressing changes.

  • Antibiotics.

  • Surgery, including debridement, skin graft or repairing of damaged tissue or structures.

  • Physiotherapy.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take and apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your healthcare provider.

  • If you were prescribed antibiotics, take or apply them as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop using the antibiotics even if you start to feel better.

Burn care

  • Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about how to take care of your burn, including:

    • How to clean your burn.

    • When and how you should remove or change your dressing.

  • 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 dressing dry until your healthcare provider says it can be removed.

  • Do not take baths, swim, use a hot tub or do anything that would put your burn underwater until your healthcare provider approves. Ask your healthcare provider 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 instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not exercise until your healthcare provider approves.

  • Do range-of-motion exercises, if told by your healthcare provider.

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 urine pale yellow.

  • Do not put butter, oil or other home remedies on your burn. This can lead to an infection.

  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.

  • Keep all follow-up appointments as instructed by your healthcare provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

  • Avoid exposure to caustic chemicals.

  • Wear protective gloves and equipment when you handle caustic chemicals.

  • Make sure all caustic chemicals are labelled.

  • Talk to your employer about the caustic chemicals that they use. Ask whether those can be replaced with chemicals that are less harmful.

  • Make sure there is proper airflow (ventilation) in any area with caustic chemicals.

  • Keep your skin clean and moisturised. Dry skin is more likely to be damaged by chemicals.

Contact a healthcare provider or appropriate governing agency if:

  • You received a tetanus shot and you have any of the following symptoms at the injection site:

    • Swelling.

    • Severe pain.

    • Redness.

    • Bleeding.

  • Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.

  • Your pain is not controlled with medicine.

  • 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.

  • Develop severe swelling.

  • Develop severe pain.

  • Have a fever.

  • Have numbness or tingling in the burned area or further down your legs or arms.

  • Have trouble breathing, or you develop coughing or noisy breathing (wheezing).

  • Have chest pain.

Summary

  • A chemical burn is an injury to the skin that is caused by a caustic chemical. Some chemicals continue to cause damage even after they have been removed from the skin.

  • This condition is more likely to develop in people who are exposed to chemicals at work.

  • Avoid exposure to caustic chemicals that can cause burns. Wear protective gloves and equipment when you handle 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.

CheapBook

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *