How are chemical burns treated?
Chemical burns are treated using the following steps: • Flush the eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not rub the eyes. • Remove any affected clothing or jewelry from any skin injury. • Use lots of cool running water to flush the chemical from the skin until emergency help arrives. Running water dilutes the chemical, preventing the injury from getting worse. A shower is a good means of flushing the skin. • Cover the wound loosely with dry, sterile or clean cloth so that the cloth does not stick to the wound. Do not cover eyes with bandages. You can cover the eyes with dark glasses. • Do not put medication on wounds. • Seek additional medical attention immediately. Q: Is there any treatment for the other effects of chemical poisoning? A: The skin and eyes are flushed with copious amounts of water even if there are no apparent burns. Trained medical personnel can also support respiratory function with ventilators and administer antidotes where applicable. Q: Are there any antidotes
