Chemical burn

<h2 id="presentation">Presentation</h2>
<p>The exact symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the chemical involved. Symptoms include itching, <a href="/facts/Bleaching/QPxAysPl">bleaching</a> or darkening of skin, burning sensations, <a href="/facts/Dyspnea/1jBfFzxU">trouble breathing</a>, coughing blood and/or <a href="/facts/Necrosis/zCPsTeWx">tissue necrosis</a>. Common sources of chemical burns include <a href="/facts/Sulfuric_acid/Wom6fymJ">sulfuric acid</a> (H2SO4), <a href="/facts/Hydrochloric_acid/HqItJlUT">hydrochloric acid</a> (HCl), <a href="/facts/Sodium_hydroxide/xjtdYtq7">sodium hydroxide</a> (NaOH), <a href="/facts/Calcium_oxide/Wh9C8l7j">lime</a> (CaO), <a href="/facts/Silver_nitrate/U5w4A3DN">silver nitrate</a> (AgNO3), and <a href="/facts/Hydrogen_peroxide/vju6HBIc">hydrogen peroxide</a> (H2O2).  Effects depend on the substance; hydrogen peroxide removes a bleached layer of skin, while nitric acid causes a characteristic color change to yellow in the skin, and silver nitrate produces noticeable black stains.  Chemical burns may occur through direct contact on body surfaces, including skin and eyes, via inhalation, and/or by ingestion.  Substances that diffuse efficiently in human tissue, e.g., <a href="/facts/Hydrofluoric_acid/wdXqu4bE">hydrofluoric acid</a>, <a href="/facts/Sulfur_mustard/e3qWU2Qp">sulfur mustard</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dimethyl_sulfate/qHswLdl6">dimethyl sulfate</a>, may not react immediately, but instead produce the burns and inflammation hours after the contact.  Chemical <a href="/facts/Semiconductor_device_fabrication/Jd23Mu1z">fabrication</a>, <a href="/facts/Mining/g6uDIFab">mining</a>, <a href="/facts/Medicine/2fnp90Je">medicine</a>, and related professional fields are examples of occupations where chemical burns may occur.  Hydrofluoric acid <a href="/facts/Leaching_(chemistry)/hQ5JQhpF">leaches</a> into the bloodstream, reacts with calcium and magnesium, and the resulting salts can cause <a href="/facts/Cardiac_arrest/HIAm9AWX">cardiac arrest</a> after eating through skin.
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<h2 id="prevention">Prevention</h2>
<p>In Belgium, the Conseil Supérieur de la Santé gives a scientific advisory report on public health policy. The Superior Health Council of Belgium provides an overview of products that are authorized in Belgium for consumer use and that contain caustic substances, as well as of the risks linked to exposure to these products. This report aims at suggesting protection measures for the consumers, and formulates recommendations that apply to the different stages of the chain, which begins with the formulation of the product, followed by its regulation, marketing, application, post-application and ends with its monitoring.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a>
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<h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Acid_throwing/xQUAomM9">Acid throwing</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>"Human exposure to caustic and/or corrosive substances (acids and bases)" (PDF). AVIS DU CONSEIL SUPERIEUR DE LA SANTE N° 9108. Conseil Supérieur de la Santé. November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20151220180656/http://www.health.belgium.be/internet2Prd/groups/public/@public/@shc/documents/ie2divers/19105460_en.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20151220180656/http://www.health.belgium.be/internet2Prd/groups/public/@public/@shc/documents/ie2divers/19105460_en.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
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Chemical burn open-in-new

Chemical burn