Chemical burns are caused by the effects of chemicals on the skin and on the tissues that lie underneath. As a result of the burn, the chemical substance may also enter into the person’s bloodstream.

It is vital to treat this type of injury quickly and correctly.
If your employees come into contact with hazardous chemical substances, preventative measures must be taken to ensure their safety.

What are chemical burns?

We distinguish two categories of chemical substances that can lead to burns through direct contact; these are corrosive substances and irritants.

Chemical burns are caused by contact between the aggressive substance and the skin or eyes.

There are 6 types of aggressive chemical reactions:

• Acid reaction: H+
• Alkali reaction: OH-
• Oxidation reaction: transfer E-
• Reduction reaction: transfer E-
• Chelating reaction: Ca++
• Solvent reaction: Acetone, Ethanol

After contact with the skin, some of the chemical substance penetrates the tissue and triggers the destruction of cells.

There are 3 phases in almost all chemical burns:

• Contact between the chemical substance and the body
• Within 60 seconds of the contact, the chemical substance begins to penetrate the underlying skin layers and tissue.
• There is a reaction whereby the cells in the skin are damaged.

Several factors influence the speed of penetration by the substance:

• The type of product and its concentration
• The temperature of the chemical substance
• The length of exposure

In order to remove the spilt substance effectively, it will not only have to be removed from the surface; the fluid that has penetrated deeper into the skin and body will also have to be tackled. A quick and correct response is vital in order to prevent further damage.

How should you treat contact with a chemical substance?

The only way to halt the progress of the burn is to rinse the area for an extended period. Rinsing with water is good but there are more efficient methods:

Water will dilute the chemical substance and reduce the aggressive nature of the product. With concentrated substances that penetrate the skin very quickly (intervention time of 10 seconds), however, water might well be applied too late. Diphoterine® is the most widely recommended rinsing agent for chemical burns. It encapsulates the chemical substance and prevents it from causing any further damage.

3 important tips:

In short:

• The most important thing is to treat quickly
  A chemical burn must be treated within 60 seconds in order to prevent further damage. Make sure that the employees always have the appropriate substance close to hand.
• Rinse for as long as possible

Be aware that the rinsing time must be at least 3 to 5 times longer than the contact time with the chemical substance.

• Be aware of hypothermia
  A victim can go into shock during the rinsing process and display symptoms of hypothermia. Diphoterine® reduces the risk of hypothermia because it can be used in a much more targeted manner than a shower or tap.

Rinsing with water? Use water at body temperature if you can.

• Seek medical advice

After a long period of rinsing, you should seek medical advice.

What is Diphoterine and how does it work?

Diphoterine® is a polyvalent product (it is effective against several substances) that can be used after direct contact with all chemical substances. In essence, it creates a protective layer around the chemical substance and makes the penetrating chemicals pH-neutral. This prevents the spread of chemicals in the tissues and also tackles the distribution in the blood stream.  The chemical substance then withdraws from the skin and tissues so a chemical reaction can be avoided in many cases. The production and packaging in sterile conditions means it only needs to be replaced once every two years.

Diphoterine is available in various forms and sizes. There are eyewash bottles, mobile showers, spray bottles and also wall holders to store the substance in the workplace. These various formats and packs are ideal to ensure that the Diphoterine® is always available.

Find out how it works

During our workshops, you can learn how to treat chemical burns and spills. Find out all you need to know and sign up.