What Are Chemical Burns?

A chemical burn is damage to the skin tissue when it comes into contact with a corrosive substance, externally or internally (ingested). People can get chemical burns on their skin, eyes, or inside their body. The burns usually heal quickly, unless it is a severe burn. Severe chemical burns may cause permanent damage, scarring, or even death. Chemical burns are more likely to occur in professions that require working around or with corrosive chemicals.

Types of Chemicals Causing Burns

There are several types of corrosive chemicals that can cause burns. Common corrosive chemicals include:

• Car battery acid
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Teeth whitening products
• Drain cleaners
• Detergents
• Pool chlorination products
• Fertilizers
• Hair relaxers
• Paint removers
• Pesticides
• Metal and rust removers
• Sanitizers and disinfectants
• Toilet bowl cleaners
• Wet cement

Causes of Chemical Burns

The most common causes for chemical burns are acids or bases. People can encounter these products while at work or at home. It is important to read the labels and take safety precautions when using these products or being around these products. Chemical burns cause damage to tissue cells and are much more serious than a heat burn. A chemical burn can cause much deeper damage to the tissue.

Symptoms of Chemical Burns

Chemical burns can occur on the skin, eyes, or internally. Common symptoms in these locations include:

Chemical burns on the skin:

• Blisters
• Scabs
• Pain
• Cracked or dry skin
• Peeling skin
• Swelling
• Redness
• Skin discoloration

Chemical burns in the eyes:

• Blurry vision
• Pain
• Swelling of the eyelid
• Stinging or burning
• Watery eyes
• Redness
• Blindness (only in severe cases)

Chemical burns from ingestion:

• Chest pain
• Drooling
• Coughing
• Difficulty speaking (dysphonia)
• Hoarseness
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood
• Mouth or throat pain, especially when swallowing
• Perforations or holes in your stomach, esophagus, or cornea
• Shortness of breath
• Upper airway swelling

What Are the Stages of a Chemical Burn?

There are 3 stages or degrees of a chemical burn. The three stages are:

• First-degree burn (superficial burn): This type of burn only affects the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). First-degree burns are painful but do not usually cause permanent damage.
• Second-degree burn: This type of burn reaches the second layer of skin (dermis). Second-degree burns usually blister and swell and sometimes cause scarring.
• Third-degree burn: This type of burn is the most severe and means that the burn has damaged the tissue and nerves under the skin. The affected area may look black or white and you may not feel pain if the nerves have been destroyed.

Treatment of Chemical Burns

Chemical burns require immediate emergency treatment. There are some things you can do to treat the wound while waiting for EMS to arrive. Some of the steps you can follow include:

• Remove clothing: Being sure to wear gloves, remove any contaminated clothing to prevent it from touching the body.
• Remove the chemical: Wearing gloves, brush away any dry particles of the chemical, but do not try to wipe the chemical off, as this may spread it to other areas of the body.
• Rinse with water: Rinse the affected areas with cool water for at least 30 minutes. Make sure to not let any contaminated water touch exposed skin. There are certain chemicals that should NOT be rinsed with water, such as carbolic acid or phenol, sulfuric acid, dry powders, and metal compounds.
• Drink water: Drink water to help dilute the chemical substance that is in your stomach. Do not try to induce vomiting, as the chemical will burn your esophagus as it comes back up your esophagus.

Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation

More severe burns may require longer-term care and rehabilitation. Long-term care and rehabilitation may consist of several different services and treatments, which include:

• Skin grafting or skin replacement
• Occupational therapy
• Pain management
• Counseling
• Cosmetic surgery

In the most severe cases, doctors may recommend doing your rehabilitation at a specialized burn center.

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