Chemical Burns

The following information on chemical burns is provided by Pritzker | Olsen, a national law firm. Attorneys at Pritzker | Olsen have been interviewed by CNN, CBS News, Fox News, Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and others. Several of our lawyers have also been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine.

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What are Chemical Burns?

Chemical Burn to Face Chemical burns are those caused by substances such as acids, bases, and hydrocarbons. The severity of burns associated with the chemicals depends on the concentration of the substance, the length of exposure, and the type of chemical causing the damage. Typically, chemical burns continue to damage the skin until they are neutralized or diluted with water.

Types of Chemicals That Burn

The main mechanism of tissue damage caused by acids and bases is through protein coagulation. There are three main types of chemical agents that cause burns, each acting by a different mechanism.

Acids, such as those in industrial cleaners and rust removers are oxidizing agents or corrosive agents. Oxidizing agents add oxygen to proteins, which changes the structure and thus the function. Corrosive agents denature protein through various mechanisms.
Bases (or alkalis) such as lime, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, cement, or household cleaners like ammonia, act as reducing agents or desiccants. Reducing agents denature proteins by breaking the bonds between the amino acids that make up the protein. Desiccants extract water from tissues through a heat-producing reaction, causing both chemical and thermal burns.
Hydrocarbons, such as solvents, degreasing agents, and gasoline act as protoplasmic toxins (they kill cells).

Types of Injuries from Chemical Burns

Chemical Burn to Hand Acids and bases are the two most common types of chemical burns as they are found in various household products that people do not typically assume to be dangerous. Bases (alkalis) actually cause more severe tissue damage than acids because they essentially liquefy the skin which allows the base to penetrate deeply into the tissue. Acids cause coagulation necrosis which prevents deep penetration of the acid.

If the chemical is in a gaseous form, it can cause direct injury to the lungs and respiratory system. Direct pulmonary damage is even worse because it can lead to epithelial sloughing (the skin lining the airway falls off), cast formation (tissue clumps resulting from dead tissue and scar tissue), or alveolar collapse. Even if the agent only causes external skin damage, it can also indirectly cause respiratory complications because they may trigger the release of histamine which can cause swelling or bronchospasm. For more information on inhalation injuries, see our page on inhalation injury.

Sometimes the chemical may be absorbed into the tissue which may cause secondary injuries. Some chemicals cause myocardial depression (the heart does not pump as well), which results in a decrease in the blood pressure. This can result in blood not being properly distributed through the body.

Two areas particularly affected by the shock and low blood flow are the kidneys and liver. With the low blood flow, chemicals or wound debris can become trapped in both the kidneys and liver.

Hemodialysis may be required to remove the toxins that build up.

Chemical Burn Treatment

Any chemical burn, no matter the size, is considered a severe burn and warrants treatment at a burn center because of the difficulty in stopping the burn and the ability for the burn to penetrate and cause dangerous secondary effects.

Before they are treated, chemical burns must be stopped. This is usually done by flushing the area with large volumes of water until the chemical is dilute enough to stop reacting with the skin. If the chemical is dry, such as lime powder or cement should be gently brushed off the skin before flushing.

Flushing of the wound can begin at home before paramedics arrive. Garden hoses and showers are the usually the best ways to deliver large volumes of water quickly to a chemical burn (Mozingo et. al.). Sometimes, such as in the case of alkali (base) burns, flushing may be needed for several hours. Chemical specific neutralizing agents are not used because the precise chemical may not be known, and reactions with neutralizing agents produce heat, causing even more damage.

Chemical Burn to Eye Chemical burns to the eye warrant special actions because of the potential of vision damage or blindness. This is especially a concern with alkali burns. Contact lenses should removed, followed by immediate flushing of the eye with water. Flushing should continue until evaluation by an ophthalmologist.

Even if flushing was done prior to arrival at the emergency room, it is continued for the next half an hour to hour. This is of utmost importance to prevent or reduce vision loss. Because of the pain associate with burns, especially to the sensitive areas around the eye, the victim may close their eyelids. But they must be held open while flushing to maximize chemical removal and dilution.

Emergency departments have a special tool called the Morgan catheter that forces the eyelid open and aide in the flushing process.

Once the chemical burn is stopped, the burn is treated just like other burns as far as stabilization of the airway, breathing, and circulation.

Chemical Burn Attorney

To contact a burn attorney at Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. about your burn case, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), e-mail our lawyers or submit our free case consultation form.

If you retain a burn attorney at our law firm, we will immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding your burn accident. Because it is best to gather evidence soon after the accident, it is important to contact us as soon as possible.

Sources:
1. Mozingo DW, Barillo DJ, Ruitt BA Jr: Acute resuscitation and transfer management of burned and electrically injured patients, Trama Q 11(2):94-113, 1994.
2. Carrougher, Gretchern J. (1998). Burn Care and Therapy. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.
3. Digital Journal of Opthamology (chemical burn to eye image).

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