Contents:
Medical Video: First Aid : How to Treat a Chemical Burn
1. Definition
What is chemical eye injury?
Splashes of chemicals, such as acidic liquids (for example toilet cleaners) and alkalis (channel cleaners) that are exposed to the eye will cause severe damage to the cornea, the outer mucous membrane of the eye.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Chemicals (such as alcohol and hydrocarbons) only cause reddish and sore irritation.
2. How to overcome them
What should I do?
Immediately rinse the eyes splashed by chemicals with clean running water. The flow of heavy water will wash chemicals out of the eye so as not to injure the cornea further. Don't use bidders like vinegar. Lay your child down and don't stop rinsing his eyes using a dipper filled with warm water, or ask him to look under the tap and turn on the tap in room temperature. Ask your child to continue to open his eyes and do not blink during flushing. Perform rinse for approximately 5 minutes; for acidic liquids, do it for 10 minutes; alkaline liquid, 20 minutes. If only one eye is splashed, cover the other eye while you rinse the injured eye. If there are particles left in the eye, you can wipe them with a moistened cotton bud. Contact your doctor immediately after rinsing your eyes.
When do I have to see a doctor?
The best step for you to do next is to find out what type of chemical is injuring your child's eyes. You can read the product label or bring the product during a visit to the doctor.
If the substance is irritating to the eyes (with a neutral pH level) and the symptoms shown are not so severe, or even not visible at all, you can monitor the development of your child at home after consulting a doctor, Make sure the irritation does not get worse. If this happens, immediately visit the nearest emergency room hospital.
If you have questions about certain chemicals, or don't know what chemicals hurt your child's eyes, or other symptoms arise, immediately visit the nearest emergency room hospital.
When your child complains of pain, tears, red irritation that does not go away, or loss of vision, immediately contact medical assistance, including if you already know that the chemical does not cause severe irritation.
Eye irritation due to acid or alkaline fluids requires immediate medical attention and further examination. Take your child to the nearest hospital as soon as the first aid attempt is made. If you suspect irritation or other injury is getting worse, or you cannot immediately go to seek medical attention, call an ambulance (112). If you get a chemical splash while working, find out about the substance and tell the doctor.
3. Prevention
Understand the chemicals around you or those you use frequently. Check and check the product label and Security Warning (MSDS) printed on the label for safe use. Follow the instructions that have been instructed as in the label. Look for other alternatives, because hazardous chemicals can sometimes be replaced with other safer products. Or, look for alternatives to other forms of these chemicals. Many liquid chemicals are also available in other versions (solid tablets or granules).
Always provide a safety device. Safety goggles and face shields must be replaced every few months. Check the manufacturing guide.
Don't use contact lenses. Contact lenses can absorb chemicals and concentrate irritation on the surface of the eyeball. When working with chemicals, use glasses and always use special eye protection glasses on it.
Learn how to safely dispose of chemicals.
