Chemical Burns: Chemical burns are irritation and destruction of human tissue from exposure to chemicals. Chemical burns can occur in the home, at work or school, and as a result of accident or assault. Most chemical burns are caused by either strong acids or strong bases. Chemical burn symptoms may include
redness, irritation, or burning at the site of the contact,
pain or numbness at the site of the contact,
blisters or black, dead skin at the site of the contact,
vision changes if the chemical gets into the eyes,
cough or shortness of breath, and
vomiting.
All chemical burns should be considered potential medical emergencies.
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Wilderness: Burns
Heat, chemical, or electrical injury to the skin, eyes, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs can cause burns. First-degree burn symptoms include red skin and local pain (sunburn). Second-degree burns can cause blisters and swelling. Third-degree burns are a medical emergency, and cause white or black charred skin. -
Chemical Eye Burns
Chemical burns to the eye or eyelid make up roughly 10% of all eye injuries. Depending on the type of chemical and how long the eye was exposed to it, chemical eye burns can cause complete loss of sight and can be permanently debilitating. -
Corneal Ulcer
The cornea, which is the bulbous, transparent structure that encloses the pupil and iris of the eye, can sometimes develop sores called corneal ulcers. Often, a corneal ulcer may be caused by bacteria, in which case, antibiotics are used for treatment. Eyedrops and oral medications may be prescribed to ease pain. -
Thermal (Heat or Fire) Burns
Thermal burns are burns caused by heat, rather than chemicals or other causes. They can range from mild, like a sunburn, to severe. The burn severity is determined by the size of the area of the body with burns and how many layers of skin are involved.
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Corneal Ulcer The cornea, which is the bulbous, transparent structure that encloses the pupil and iris of the eye, can sometimes develop sores called corneal ulcers. Often, a corneal ulcer may be caused by bacteria, in which case, antibiotics are used for treatment. Eyedrops and oral medications may be prescribed to ease pain.
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Chemical Burns Topic Guide - Visuals
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Chemical Burns Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Silver Sulfadiazine TopicalSilver sulfadiazine is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria and yeast on the skin...learn more »
Chemical Burns Topic Guide – Related Topics
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