From the Guidelines
For a chemical burn caused by dry lime, immediately brush off any visible lime powder from the skin without using water initially, as water can activate the lime and worsen the burn. After removing the dry lime, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cool running water for at least 20 minutes to dilute and remove the chemical 1. Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry. After rinsing, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to keep the burn moist and protect it from infection. Cover with a sterile, non-stick bandage. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) as needed for pain. Some key considerations for chemical burns include:
- Dry decontamination (brushing off as much chemical powder as possible while avoiding spreading the contaminant to other areas) before irrigation of the area with water may reduce the effect of the chemical burn 1
- Irrigation with large volumes of water is crucial to remove the chemical and prevent further tissue damage 1
- Seek medical attention if the burn is larger than 3 inches, affects sensitive areas like the face or genitals, appears deep (white or charred), or if you experience severe pain, signs of infection, or systemic symptoms. Lime (calcium oxide) is highly alkaline and causes tissue damage by saponification of fats and denaturation of proteins, which can continue to damage tissue if not properly removed.
From the Research
Chemical Burn Due to Dry Lime: What to Do
- For a chemical burn caused by dry lime, it is essential to act quickly to minimize the damage.
- According to 2, immediate water lavage for 60 minutes is recommended to help reduce the severity of the burn.
- Removal of contaminated clothing, if not stuck to the skin, and covering the wound with a sterile dressing are also crucial steps in the first aid process.
- The goal of treatment is to optimize re-epithelialization for superficial burns and minimize microbial growth for deep burns, as stated in 3.
- Topical antimicrobial agents, such as silver-containing dressings, may be recommended to prevent infection, as suggested in 4.
Treatment and Management
- Pain management is an important aspect of treating partial-thickness burn wounds, and topical ibuprofen has been shown to provide effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, as demonstrated in 5.
- The use of ibuprofen-containing foam dressing may increase the rate of wound healing and reduce the frequency of dressing changes, as found in 5.
- It is essential to follow the recommended treatment guidelines and seek medical attention if the burn is severe or does not show signs of improvement.
Key Considerations
- Assessment of burn depth is often difficult, and the decision to excise the wound early may not always be clear-cut, as noted in 6.
- The mechanism and pathophysiology of chemical burns are distinct from thermal burns, and recommended first aid approaches are consequently different, as stated in 2.
- Community education should emphasize the importance of water irrigation and early treatment to improve outcomes, as suggested in 2.