How are chemical burns caused?
Again, I am not an expert, but it seems chemical burns are “typically caused by coagulation necrosis of tissue rather than by direct heat production.” It will certainly feel like heat production due to damage of the tissue, and it can generate actual heat energy, but that is not the defining characteristic of a chemical burn. It appears to be the recombination of ions in the acid that does the damage. “Acids are defined as proton donors (H+), and bases are defined as proton acceptors (OH-). Bases also are known as alkalies. Both acids and bases can be defined as caustics, which cause significant tissue damage on contact.” “The fluoride ion is the primary agent responsible for the prolonged destruction seen in hydrofluoric acid burns.” Though it seems from a brief overview that the main action of chemical burns involves hydrogen ions. While WP may cause a chemical reaction similar to that which causes chemical burns, remember we’re talking about a substance that spontaneously ignites in
