2511212022, 12:01 [Acid and chemical burns - NHS DTT ee warn (ealth 82 (Link: woww.nhs.ukiconditions) NHS services (Link: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services) Live Well (Link: www.nhs.uk/ivesvell) Men Acid and chemical burns Burns caused by acd, alkaline or caustic chemicals can be very damaging and need immediate medical attention Call 99 and ask for urgent help, Immediate first aid [After calling 999, to help prevent severe injuries from a chemical burn + try to carefully remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing + rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible Remove the chemical and affected clothing + try to remove the chemical and contaminated clothing from contact with the skin and eyes, but be very careful not to ‘touch or spread the chemical + use gloves or other protective materials to cover hands and, if possible, carefully cut away clothing such as Tshirts, rather than pulling them off over the head) + do not wipe the skin as this may spread contamination + I the chemical i dy, brush it off the skin Rinse continuously with clean water + rinse the affected area continuously with clean water as soon as possible + try to make sure the water can run off the affected area without pooling on the skin + only use water do not rub or wine the area Stay on the phone until the ambulance artives and follow any other advice given by the 999 call handler to avoid further injury Treatment in hospital Immediate treatment for chemical Burs in hospital includes + continuing to wash off the corrosive substance with water until its completely removed + dleaning the burn and covering it with an appropriate dressing + pain celiet + atetanus jab if necessary Recovering from a chemical burn Minor burns Minor burns affecting the outer layer of skin and some of the underlying layer of tissue normally heal with good ongoing bbuen care, leaving minimal scaring Your dressing will need to be checked and changed regularly until the burn has completely healed to help prevent Severe burns Ifthe burn is severe, you may be referred to a specialist burns unit, which may be in a different hospital. You may stay in hospital for a number of days. ‘You may need surgery to remove the burnt area of skin and replace ®t with a section of skin (a graft) taken from another part of your body. See plastic surgery techniques (Link: wwwanhs.ukiconcitions/plastic-surgerylwhat-happens) for more ‘Mare severe and deeper bums can take months or even years to fully heal and usually leave some visible scarring, in some ase, the depth and location of he burn may als lead to problems such as sight loss or restricted use of imbs or muscles Specialist support Specialist urns teams include occupational therapists, physiotherapists and mental health professionals who can support your recovery For chemical buns affecting the eyes, youre also Hkely to be urgently assessed by an eye specials to help Iinimise the ris of lasting vision los Iyou've been the victim of an attack and continue to feel upset, anxious or afrald several days after the incident, you can ask to be referred to the hospital's mental health liaison team for support and treatment, Anyone with an existing mental hitps:lwwn.nhs.uklcondtions/aci-and-chemical-bums! 122511212022, 12:01 [Acid and chemical burns - NHS health problem who has suffered an attack should also be referred to this team, Burns support groups also provide practical and emotional support to victims and their families. Your care team should be ‘able to signpost you to local groups, and the following national organisations can also hel: *+ Changing Faces (Link: httpsi/www.changingfaces.org.uk) provides support for people whose condition or injury affects their appearance + Victim Support (Link: httpsumww victimsupport. org.uk) provides help and advice to victims and witnesses of crimes + Katie Piper Foundation (Link: httosifkatiepiperfoundation.org.uk) provides specific help for victims and families of acid attacks and other burns Page last reviewed: 18 September 2020 Next review due: 18 September 2023, hitps:lwwn.nhs.uklcondtions/aci-and-chemical-bums! ae