Chemical burn overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

A chemical burn occurs when living tissue is exposed to a reactive chemical substance such as a strong acid or base. The main types of irritant and/or corrosive products are acids, bases, oxidizers, solvents, and reducing agents.

Chemicals that touch skin can lead to a reaction on the skin, throughout the body, or both.

Chemical exposure is not always obvious. One should suspect chemical exposure if an otherwise healthy person becomes ill for no apparent reason, particularly if an empty chemical container is found nearby.

Exposure to chemicals at work over a long period of time can cause changing symptoms as the chemical builds up in the person’s body.

Chemical burns follow standard burn classification and may cause extensive tissue damage.

Sparklers and other fireworks that give off sparks or flames can give chemical burns as well as heat-induced burns. Other common sources of chemical burns include silver nitrate (AgNO₃), hydrochloric acid (HCl), lye (NaOH), and lime (CaO). Chemical burns may occur through direct contact on body surfaces including skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion.

Chemical fabrication, mining, medicine, and related professional fields are examples of occupations where chemical burns may occur.

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