What should be done if a small amount of a chemical is spilled on your skin?
Chemical burns can happen if you come into contact with a harsh substance such as bleach, battery acid or disinfectants. People who work with chemicals for their jobs are more at risk of chemical burns. Young children are also at risk, since they may accidentally touch or swallow household chemicals. Show
OverviewWhat is a chemical burn?A chemical burn is damage to tissue on your body due to a harsh or corrosive substance. You can get chemical burns on your skin, eyes or inside of your body. Most chemical burns are the result of accidentally spilling a chemical on yourself. But it’s also possible to swallow chemicals or get exposed to them in other ways. Chemical burns range from mild to severe. Mild chemical burns usually heal quickly, but severe chemical burns can cause permanent tissue damage, scarring or death. Chemical burns require immediate medical treatment. Who’s at risk for chemical burns?Anyone who works with chemicals is at risk for chemical burns, including:
It’s important to note that children (especially toddlers) are at a high risk for burns caused by household chemical products. They may accidentally touch or swallow detergents, bleach or cleaning products. How common are chemical burns?Between 2005 and 2014, about 3% of all adults admitted to burn centers in the U.S. had chemical burns. One study shows that, over a 17-year period, about 40,000 children (or 2,300 children per year) were admitted to the emergency department with a chemical burn from a household cleaning product. Symptoms and CausesWhat causes chemical burns?When harsh chemicals come into contact with your skin, eyes or any tissue in your body, they can destroy cells. The damage may go past the superficial layers of skin or tissue and cause deep damage. Chemical burns can be far more serious than thermal (heat) burns. Chemicals often stay on your skin for long periods of time, eating away at your tissue. There are a lot of substances that can cause chemical burns. Some of the most common include:
What are the symptoms of chemical burns?Chemical burns on your skin may cause:
Chemical burns in your eyes may cause:
Chemical burns from ingestion (swallowing) may cause:
Diagnosis and TestsHow are chemical burns diagnosed?Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose chemical burns on your skin by examining the size, depth and other characteristics of the burn. They may also use other tests to diagnose burns on your skin or in your eyes or from swallowing a chemical, including:
Management and TreatmentHow are chemical burns treated?Chemical burns require immediate treatment. Call 911 and then:
Then, get to a hospital. The American Burn Association recommends that anyone with a chemical burn should seek care at a burn center or call the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately for information on treatment. A burn center is a unit of a hospital dedicated to burn treatment. If you go to the emergency department, they may refer you to a burn center. Once you arrive at the hospital, your healthcare team will:
If you have a severe burn, you may need surgery to remove the burned portion of your skin. Some people need a skin graft. A surgeon takes healthy skin from elsewhere on your body and attaches it to the burned area. Surgery can also repair perforations in your gastrointestinal tract. PreventionAre chemical burns preventable?Reduce your risk of chemical burns by taking the proper safety precautions:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat’s the prognosis (outlook) for people with chemical burns?Most mild chemical burns heal without leaving permanent scars. However, long-term effects of severe chemical burns may include:
Living WithWhen should I contact my doctor about a chemical burn?Seek help right away for any type of chemical burn. If you have a burn that’s healing, contact your doctor if the burn:
What questions should I ask my doctor?You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Chemical burns can happen if you work with chemicals or other harsh substances for your job. People, especially children, can also get chemical burns if they accidentally touch or swallow certain household chemicals. You should seek medical attention from your healthcare provider for any chemical burn, even if it seems mild. Unlike heat burns, chemical burns can continue causing tissue damage even after you come into contact with them. Immediate treatment is essential to prevent scarring or complications. Share Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/04/2022. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information enewsCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesDermatology & Plastic Surgery InstituteOur expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Related Institutes & ServicesDermatology & Plastic Surgery InstituteOur expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. More health news + info
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2022 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. What procedures should I take if a chemical is spilled onto my skin?Wash thoroughly (15 minutes) with water using nearest deluge shower or hand/spray unit. Remove any overlying clothing that may retain the chemical and prevent thorough washing of the skin. Depending on the chemical, additional medical treatment may be required.
When a chemical spill occurs covering a small amount of skin you should?If a small amount of chemical gets on your skin, wash the area with soap and plenty of water. If a large amount of corrosive chemical is spilled on your body, immediately get to the safety shower and pull the handle.
|