Chemical burn

Corrosion refers to a breach of the skin or mucous membranes caused by chemical substances, usually strong acids or alkalis. The degree of damage depends on the type and concentration of corrosive substances, but also on the amount and duration of exposure.

Causes

Acids lead to so-called coagulation necrosis of the wetted skin or mucosa. The cellular proteins coagulate when heated similar to a hen's egg in the pan. Through the aggregation of the protein molecules, the caustic liquid is prevented from penetrating deeper into the tissue. However bases cause so-called colliquation necrosis, where the damaged tissue is fluidized. This increases the corrosive liquid, so to speak paves a way to the depths; Corrosion and burns from alkalis therefore lead to far more extensive damage.

Symptoms

In the context of burns is similar to the case of burns, the loss of fluid in the area of the contact point in the foreground. In addition, many corrosive substances are also toxic to the human organism. The fluid loss and severe pain can lead to shock ( hypovolemic shock). Case of chemical burns in the area of the mouth or throat may cause swelling and thus a narrowing of the airways. The threat of respiratory failure means death to the patient. In addition, esophageal veins are injured and lead to severe loss of blood in the stomach when swallowing of acids or alkalis. Burns around the eyes (especially lime ) often result in a very short time to clouding of the cornea and thus to blindness.

Treatment

Skin burns are initially rinsed with copious amounts of running water. In highly concentrated acid / base these should be included before the rinse with a swab to reduce the spread of the burn in the first moment of flushing. Here, the swab should be used only once and it is to pay attention to self-protection. Severe burns require treatment by emergency medical services and first aid.

In burns of the eyes, it is important that the eye is rinsed and long with plenty of water. Case of chemical burns by quicklime ( Fresh cement, mortar - not Bohr-/Flexstaub thereof) must immediately an eye specialist be consulted in addition to flushing. Quicklime produces a highly corrosive lye, so remnants of the product by the ophthalmologist must be removed under the microscope of the cornea if necessary.

When ready in a chemistry lab fresh, one-percent solution of sodium hydroxide (for burns of the eye by acids) or fresh -percent boric acid (for burns by caustic solutions) for eye wash bottles, these solutions can be used for eye irrigation. Usually, however, a quick rinse with plenty of water or commercial Augenspüllösungen ( phosphate buffer solutions) will be carried out, especially in an accident neither time nor rest remains, such a rinsing solution must be freshly prepared and weighed accurately.

Should it have come at a chemical burn in mouth and throat area, a poison control center should be contacted before further action. Possible measures may be thinning measures or the administration of medicinal charcoal or defoamers. Vomiting can lead to complications, since the chemical will again pass the already affected area ( the stomach is in an acidic environment more used than the esophagus).