So firstly what are Acid/chemical burns?
Chemical burns are tissue injuries caused by strong acids, drain cleaners, thinners, gasoline, and many other substances. Minor chemical burns can usually be treated with first aid. Extensive chemical burns require emergency medical attention. People with severe burns may need treatment at a specialized burn center. Skin grafts may be needed to cover large wounds. You may also need emotional support and months of follow-up care, including: B. Physiotherapy.
Methods to treat it:
Cool the burn:
Place the burned area under (not cold) running water or apply cold compresses until the pain subsides.
Do not use ice. Applying ice directly to the burn can cause further tissue damage.
Remove rings and other solids:
Do this quickly and gently before the burned area swells.
Don't break the bubbles:
Fluid-filled blisters prevent infection.
If the blister breaks, rinse the area with water (mild detergent is optional).
Apply antibiotic ointment. However, if a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
Apply moisturizer:
Once a burn is completely cooled, apply a moisturizer, such as one that this helps prevent drying of wound and provides relief.
Cover burns:
Cover the burn with sterile gauze (not fluffy cotton). Wrap loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin.
Bandages keep air out, relieve pain, and protect blistered skin.
Take a pain reliever:
Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen
Consider a tetanus injection:
Make sure your tetanus booster is up to date.
Doctors recommend getting a tetanus shot at least every 10 years
Recovery from chemical burns:
Minor burns:
Minor burns that affect the outer layer of skin and some of the underlying tissue layers usually heal with continued burn treatment and minimize scarring.
To prevent infection, bandages should be checked and changed regularly until the burn is completely healed.
Severe burns:
If the burn is severe, you may be referred to a specialized burn unit at another hospital. You can be hospitalized for several days .
Surgery may be needed to remove the burned area of skin and replace it with a piece of skin (graft) taken from another part of the body. See Plastic Surgery Techniques for more information.
More severe and deep burns can take months or years to heal completely and usually leave visible scars.
In some cases, the depth and location of burns can lead to problems such as loss of vision and reduced use of limbs and muscles.
Professional support:
Burns specialist team generaly includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals who can help you recover.
Eye burns may require urgent evaluation by an ophthalmologist to minimize the risk of permanent vision loss.
If you are a victim of assault and continue to feel angry, anxious, or anxious for several days after the incident, you can ask to be referred to your hospital's mental health liaison team for support and treatment. Anyone with pre-existing mental health issues who have ever had one should also be referred to this team.
Burn support groups also provide practical and emotional support to victims and their families. Your care team should be able to refer you to local groups.
Organizations in India that can help are
and outside India
What kind of questions you can expect at the doctor?
A doctor may ask many questions, such as:
How did the burn occur?
Do you have any other symptoms?
Do you have any chronic diseases such as diabetes?
Are there any at-home burn remedies you used?
Did the appearance of the burn change?
REFERENCE:
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