Acid and chemical burns

Acid or chemical burns can happen when a harmful acid or chemical gets on your skin, or in your eyes.

Examples of harmful acids and chemicals include:

• bleach
• other household cleaning products, such as toilet, oven, and drain cleaners
• battery acid (a liquid inside some types of batteries)
• washing detergents
• ammonia
• chemicals used in industries such as farming, manufacturing, construction and laboratories

Many products have a label saying if they're harmful and if there's a risk of burns.

An acid or chemical burn needs immediate first aid.

1. Call 999 for medical help.
2. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the chemical when helping yourself or someone else, if possible.
3. Carefully remove any clothing that has the chemical on it, if possible.
4. Carefully brush dry chemicals off the skin.
5. Put the affected area under cool or lukewarm running water or pour lots of water over it for about 1 hour.

Do not put anything on the burn, such as skin creams or other chemicals.

Acid and chemical burns need to be checked and treated in hospital.

You may need:

• painkillers to help ease pain
• antibiotics to treat infection, or to stop you getting an infection
• fluids, usually given through a vein

If your burn is severe, you may also need:

• surgery to help your burn wounds to heal
• reconstructive surgery if your burn affects your movement or physical appearance
• physiotherapy if the burn has a lasting effect on your movement

Common causes of acid or chemical burns include bleach, household cleaners and battery acid.

You should carry out first aid straight away for an acid or chemical burn and call 999 for medical help as soon as possible.

Acid and chemical burns need to be treated in hospital. Treatments may include painkillers, fluids, antibiotics or surgery.