Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chemical burn history and symptoms
Introduction
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
The exact symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the chemical involved. Symptoms include itching, bleaching or darkening of skin, burning sensations, trouble breathing, coughing blood, tissue necrosis, and death.
Depending on the type of exposure, the symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Bright red or bluish skin and lips
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hives, itching, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or weakness resulting from an allergic reaction
- Irritability
- Pain where the skin has come in contact with the toxic substance
- Rash, blisters, burns on the skin
- Unconsciousness
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]