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First aid for burns caused by common chemicals Appendix: First aid for burns caused by common chemicals Chemicals, their effects, and cleaning agents; special treatments for reference Inorganic acids Sulfuric acid: Dehydration; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Hydrochloric acid: Dehydration; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Nitric acid: Oxidation; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Hydrofluoric acid: Causes cellular damage; Treatments include a. 2.5% magnesium sulfate solution, b. 10% calcium gluconate solution, c. Flowing water, d. Lime water solution, e. Quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride solution for soaking or wet compresses Hydrobromic acid: Causes oxidation; Use flowing water. Triamcinolone acetate solution: 1 part 5% ammonia solution mixed with 1 part turpentine Chromic acid: Causes oxidation; Use flowing water or 95% alcohol or 5% sodium thiosulfate solution Organic acids Oxalic acid: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 10% calcium gluconate solution Trichloroacetic acid: Causes cellular damage; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Glacial acetic acid: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Acetic acid: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Chloroacetic acid: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Acrylic acid: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Formic acid: Causes cellular damage; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Inorganic bases Potassium (sodium) hydroxide: Causes dehydration; Use flowing water or 3% boric acid solution. Corrosion can also be treated with 0.5%–5% acetic acid solution or 10% citric acid solution. Ammonium hydroxide: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 0.5%–5% acetic acid solution or 10% citric acid solution Organic bases Methylamine: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 3% boric acid solution Ethylenediamine: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 3% boric acid solution Ethanolamine: Causes corrosion; Use flowing water or 3% boric acid solution Dimethyl sulfate: Causes blistering; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Dimethyl sulfide: Causes blistering; Use flowing water or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Phenols Phenol: Causes cellular damage; Treatments include a. Wiping the wound with 50% alcohol, b. 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, c. Wiping the wound with cotton or gauze soaked in a mixture of glycerin, polyethylene glycol, or polyethanol with alcohol in a 7:3 ratio Cresol: Causes cellular damage; Treatments include a. Wiping the wound with 50% alcohol, b. 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, c. Wiping the wound with cotton or gauze soaked in a mixture of glycerin, polyethylene glycol, or polyethanol with alcohol in a 7:3 ratio Dichlorophenol: Causes cellular damage; Treatments include a. Wiping the wound with 50% alcohol, b. 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, c. Wiping the wound with cotton or gauze soaked in a mixture of glycerin, polyethylene glycol, or polyethanol with alcohol in a 7:3 ratio Potassium (sodium): Causes corrosion; Cover the area with oil or use 3% boric acid solution. Do not rinse with small amounts of water. Limestone: Causes corrosion; Cover the area with oil or use 3% boric acid solution. Do not rinse with small amounts of water. Calcium carbide: Causes corrosion; Cover the area with oil or use 3% boric acid solution. Do not rinse with small amounts of water. Yellow phosphorus: Causes cellular damage; Treatments include a) 1%–2% copper sulfate solution, b) Wet compresses, c) 3% silver nitrate solution, d) 5% sodium bicarbonate solution Phosphorus trichloride: Causes oxidation; Do not rinse with small amounts of water. Use 5% sodium bicarbonate solution. Note: 1) Treatment solution for hydrofluoric acid burns: 20 ml of 5% calcium fluoride, 20 ml of 2% lidocaine, 5 mg of dexamethasone, 60 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. 2) Copper sulfate as a disclosing agent and antidote.