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Chemical Burns - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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Overview

  • Happens at school/work/ home
  • Risk is greater at place of work/factories
  • Happens as a result of accident / assault
  • Injury caused by coagulation / necrosis of tissue
  • Damage depends on exposure / time / chemical

Causes

  • Strong acids or bases (alkali)
  • Chemical Irritants

Symptoms

  • Irritation / burning 
  • Redness of skin
  • Pain / numbness 
  • Blisters 
  • Coughing 
  • Breathlessness
  • Vision loss, if eye is affected
  • Head ache
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Symptoms in severe cases

  • Dizziness
  • Severe cough
  • Seizures
  • Low blood pressure
  • Irregular heart 
  • Cardiac arrest

Treatment

  • Remove patient from accident site
  • Wash injury with tepid water liberally
  • Identify chemical for effective therapy
  • Seek medical treatment
  • IV fluids need to be administered
  • Pain medications and antibiotics needed
  • Wounds cleaned and bandaged
  • Follow -up care compulsory
  • Consultation with specialist is a must
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Prevention

  • While using chemicals, follow safety precautions
  • Avoid overexposure to chemicals
  • Store chemicals safely in containers
  • Keep them out of reach of children
  • Avoid misuse of hair, skin, nail care products
  • Avoid mixing different chemicals
  • Avoid using toxic substances in kitchen /near food
  • Use fume-emitting products in ventilated areas
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