Acid and chemical burns
Acid or chemical burns can happen when a harmful acid or chemical gets on your skin, or in your eyes.
Examples of harmful acids and chemicals include:
- bleach
- other household cleaning products, such as toilet, oven, and drain cleaners
- battery acid (a liquid inside some types of batteries)
- washing detergents
- ammonia
- chemicals used in industries such as farming, manufacturing, construction and laboratories
Many products have a label saying if they're harmful and if there's a risk of burns.
Call 999 if:
- you or someone else has got an acid or chemical on your skin, or in your eyes
An acid or chemical burn needs immediate first aid.
- Call 999 for medical help.
- Wear gloves to protect yourself from the chemical when helping yourself or someone else, if possible.
- Carefully remove any clothing that has the chemical on it, if possible.
- Carefully brush dry chemicals off the skin.
- Put the affected area under cool or lukewarm running water or pour lots of water over it for about 1 hour.
Important
Do not put anything on the burn, such as skin creams or other chemicals.
Acid and chemical burns need to be checked and treated in hospital.
You may need:
- painkillers to help ease pain
- antibiotics to treat infection, or to stop you getting an infection
- fluids, usually given through a vein
If your burn is severe, you may also need:
- surgery to help your burn wounds to heal
- reconstructive surgery if your burn affects your movement or physical appearance
- physiotherapy if the burn has a lasting effect on your movement
