Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/First aid/Chemical burn"

Revision as of 22:06, 1 May 2012

1. For wet chemicals, immediately flush the area with large amounts of water, using a shower or hose, if available. Do not apply water too forcefully. Continue to flood the area while the clothing, including shoes and socks, is being removed. Continue to flush with running water for at least 20 minutes.

For dry chemicals, brush off the chemical, then flush with water as above.

For acid burns caused by phenol (carbolic acid), wash the affected area with alcohol because phenol is not water soluble; then wash with water. If alcohol is not available, flushing with water is better than no treatment at all.

2. Call an ambulance

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-. Quickly flush the area with large amounts of  water,  using  a  shower  or  hose,  if available.  Do not apply water too forcefully. Continue to flood the area while the clothing, including shoes and socks, is being removed, as well as afterwards.
+. '''For wet chemicals''', immediately flush the area with large amounts of  water, using a shower or hose, if available. Do not apply water too forcefully. Continue to flood the area while the clothing, including shoes and socks, is being removed. Continue to flush with running water for at least 20 minutes.
+:'''For dry chemicals''', brush off the chemical, ''then'' flush with water as above.
+::For acid burns caused by phenol (carbolic acid), wash the affected area with alcohol because phenol is not water soluble; then wash with water. If  alcohol  is  not  available,  flushing  with water is better than no treatment at all.
-NOTE: There are two exceptions to the above. In alkali burns caused by dry lime, the mixing of water and lime creates a very corrosive substance.  Dry  lime  should  be  brushed away  from  the  skin  and  clothing,  unless large  amounts  of  water  are  available  for rapid and complete flushing. In acid burns caused by phenol (carbolic acid), wash the affected area with alcohol because phenol is not water soluble; then wash with water. If  alcohol  is  not  available,  flushing  with water is better than no treatment at all.
+. Call an ambulance
-. After  thorough  washing,  neutralize  any chemical  remaining  on  the  affected  area. '''WARNING: DO NOT attempt to neutralize  a  chemical  unless  you  know  exactly what it is and what substance will neutralize it.'''  Further  damage  may  be  done  by  a neutralizing agent that is too strong or incorrect. For acid burns make a solution of 1  teaspoon  of  baking  soda  in  a  pint  of water and flush it over the affected area. For  alkali  burns  mix  1  or  2  teaspoons  of vinegar in a pint of water and flush it over the  affected  area.
+[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]]
-. Flush the area again with water and gently pat dry with a sterile gauze. Do not rub the area.
-. Transport the victim to a medical treatment facility.