Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Content: 2 l (€37.88* / 1 l)
Chemical burns are tissue damage caused by direct contact with corrosive chemicals. The severity of a chemical burn depends on the type of chemical, its concentration and the duration of exposure. People in households where cleaning agents are easily accessible and in working environments without suitable protective measures are particularly at risk.
The main difference between a burn and a chemical burn lies in the cause of the tissue damage. Burns are caused by direct exposure to heat, e.g. fire, hot liquids or surfaces and extreme cold, while chemical burns are caused by contact with chemical substances such as acids, alkalis or organic solvents.
Burns and chemical burns are generally treated differently, with the correct initial treatment and medical care being crucial to prevent serious damage. How to treat burns correctly.
When treating abrasions, the right care is crucial to prevent infection and promote healing. WERO wound and healing ointment is particularly suitable for initial treatment, as it not only protects the wound, but also supports natural healing and soothes the skin at the same time.
Swallowing a corrosive substance can have dangerous consequences, especially depending on the amount ingested. How to provide proper first aid:
Important: The affected person should not be made to vomit on purpose. The substance would repeatedly damage the oesophagus.
Internal burns cause severe pain, which is felt differently depending on the affected area. Particularly in the case of burns in the mouth, oesophagus and gastrointestinal tract, the pain often extends from the throat across the breastbone into the abdomen. These symptoms are often accompanied by profuse salivation and vomiting. The swelling of the throat can also lead to shortness of breath.
Other serious consequences of an internal chemical burn are bleeding of the mucous membranes and the formation of plaque and ulcers. If the corrosive substance reaches the muscle layer of the oesophageal wall, it can cause severe damage such as tissue necrosis, oedema and inflammation. In the long term, scarring of the oesophagus and stomach can occur, which can lead to constrictions (strictures) that make swallowing difficult. These strictures often develop a few weeks after the chemical burn.
The choice of the right rucksack volume depends heavily on the planned duration of use and the type of equipment to be carried. For short trips or day trips, smaller rucksacks that only hold the essentials are often sufficient. For longer missions or trips where more equipment is required, a larger model should be considered. It is important that the rucksack fits well and is not overloaded to ensure comfort and functionality. It is advisable to check the specific requirements carefully before purchasing and, if necessary, choose a backpack with modular expansion options to ensure flexibility in different situations.
The sensitivity of the affected skin area determines the severity of the burn; the more sensitive the skin, the more severe the injury and the greater the risk of scarring. As a first aider, you must act quickly and carefully:
Important: Do not apply any ointments, creams or similar to the affected area in the event of chemical burns. Common household remedies such as flour or oil can also make the damage worse under certain circumstances.
The effect of acids and alkalis on the skin is very different. Acids lead to superficial coagulation of cellular proteins (coagulation necrosis), which generally limits further penetration of the acid into deeper tissue layers. In contrast, an alkali dissolves the tissue (colliquation necrosis), which means that it can penetrate much deeper into the tissue and potentially cause more severe damage.
Skin burns are categorised according to their severity as follows:
Extensive skin burns can result in considerable fluid loss, as fluid leaks from the bloodstream into the damaged tissue and leads to oedema. This can also reduce the blood volume and trigger hypovolaemic shock.
A visit to the doctor is advisable if the graze continues to bleed, which could indicate a more serious injury. Even if the wound is very dirty and cannot be cleaned effectively at home, professional help is required to prevent infection.
Pus formation is another clear sign of infection. In this case, the doctor may prescribe appropriate antibiotics or take other measures to treat the infection. People with circulatory problems should also be careful, as their wounds tend to heal more slowly, which increases the risk of complications.
Finally, it is important to seek medical attention if a fever or elevated temperature occurs after an injury. These are typical signs of a systemic infection that must be treated immediately to avoid serious health problems.
The eye should be cleaned immediately with an eye wash or eye shower. The designation "P" identifies WERO eye rinses that are effective against chemicals. Cover the healthy eye. An ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately afterwards. The eye is then rinsed further and eye drops are administered if necessary. Corneal transplantation may be necessary for particularly severe injuries.
In the case of burns with slaked or unslaked lime, the eye must be rinsed with water or a saline solution(WERO eye wash bottles models "A") - not with the sodium hydrogen phosphate solution (for WERO "P" eye wash bottles).
Eye burns are usually caused by plaster or cement, chemical cleaning agents and cleaning products. These are alkalis, which are particularly dangerous as they can penetrate even deeper into the tissue than acids.
The eye is normally protected from foreign bodies and dehydration by the eyelid closure reflex. However, if contact with the inside of the eye occurs due to an accident or an attack with corrosive chemicals, severe redness, spasmodic twitching, swelling and excessive tearing can occur, depending on the corrosive substance. Even a small splash can cause irreversible damage to the affected eye: Cells can die, circulatory disorders or corneal clouding can occur and visual acuity can deteriorate. Rapid and targeted initial treatment is very important here.