Alcohol burn of the skin: first aid and treatment

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Alcohol is a chemical, and burns from it are classified as chemical damage. There are many ways to get this kind of injury. For example, people with sensitive skin can suffer from a banal rubbing of the face / body. And damage to the mouth and esophagus is caused by swallowing the product. Eye burn occurs due to carelessness.

But in any case, the victim needs to be given first aid. If the mouth, esophagus or eyes are damaged, the victim must be taken to a hospital in the future.

Alcohol burn of the skin: symptoms

Signs of injury directly depend on which part of the body is affected. If the skin is damaged, the following symptoms are observed:

• hyperemia (redness) of the skin;
• the appearance of blisters filled with liquid;
• darkening (hyperpigmentation);
• the place of damage becomes a dark pink hue;
• the site of injury is covered with a hard crust.

The severity of symptoms is largely dependent on the duration of exposure to the chemical. With a slight impact, the discomfort is weak. They disappear on their own after a while, if you do not continue the harmful effects of alcohol.

An alcohol burn is one of the safest chemical burns, with the exception of damage to the esophagus. With minor trauma, no therapeutic and restorative measures are required. But with significant damage, you need to undergo therapy in a hospital setting, especially with damage to internal organs. But in any case, the injured person needs to be given first aid, however, as with any other types of burns.

Treatment of a burn from alcohol on the face: first aid to the victim

Help is provided according to the following scheme:

• The damaged part of the body is washed under running water for 10 minutes. This will remove the irritant and cool the skin. That is, the deepening of the affected area is prevented. Any cold product, ice, etc. will do. You need to wrap the ice in a thin cloth;
• After the wound dries up, it is treated with Panthenol ointment or Olazol;
• Apply a bandage to prevent infection.

If the injury is minor and does not cause significant discomfort, medication can be dispensed with. Otherwise, after providing first aid, you need to call an ambulance or independently deliver the victim to the hospital.

It is strongly not recommended to lubricate the skin with oil: fat retains heat, which further aggravates the situation.

Alcohol burn of the skin: treatment

With slight damage, you can do without medication - hyperemia and swelling will go away on their own in a few days. If unpleasant sensations are present, then you can use agents that accelerate healing, for example, the aforementioned Panthenol ointment. Any product designed to soften and moisturize the skin will also work.

As a rule, alcohol-free silver and iodine preparations are used in the treatment of chemical burns. Such antiseptics not only disinfect, but also dry a little, so their use does not cause discomfort.

When scars appear, you need to use funds that promote their resorption (ave. "Mederma", "Contractubers").

Solcoseryl will help improve cell regeneration and blood microcirculation in the affected tissues. The product contains amino acids, nucleotides and other biologically active compounds that help restore all layers of the skin. Since “building materials” are especially necessary for damaged tissues, it is advisable to use “Solcoseryl” and similar medicines.

When treating burns, it is best to use gel products that do not have a greasy base. They are better absorbed, which shortens the therapy time. In addition, gel bases have a drying effect, thereby preventing the accumulation of exudate.

How to relieve pain syndrome:

• Potato compress. The tuber of raw potatoes is thoroughly washed under running water with a brush, then peeled and chopped. Grated potatoes are transferred to cheesecloth and applied to a sore spot;
• Egg yolk. It is enough to beat the fresh yolk, separated from the protein, and lubricate the damaged area of the body with it. This tool, like the previous one, can be used only for the first and second degree of burns;
• From medications, pain relievers such as analgin, tempalgin, sedalgin are used.

Burns

Some degrees require treatment only in a hospital setting, as they pose a serious danger to health and even to life.

• The first is the easiest. Symptoms: slight hyperemia, swelling and soreness. The discomfort goes away relatively quickly, and medications are usually not used. In this case, you can stay at home;
• Second. Symptoms: severe hyperemia, swelling, water bladder and scab. Healing takes about 2 weeks. But if a secondary infection has joined, the recovery is delayed;
• The third - the skin and subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and sometimes bones are affected. Symptoms: burst blisters, small water bubbles around the wound, pain is mostly absent (nerve endings have died). The patient must be in the hospital. After the wound has healed, a scar remains;
• The fourth is accompanied by charring. Recovery is carried out only in a hospital.

What not to do

It is strictly forbidden to perform the following manipulations:

• bandage the affected part of the body tightly;
• piercing bubbles;
• treat damaged skin areas with oils, fats;
• touch the wound with your hands.

Burn with ammonia

Ammonium alcohol, or ammonium hydroxide, is a weak alkali solution. But it can do a lot of harm if used incorrectly / carelessly. Lye can penetrate quickly and deeply into tissues, leading to the formation of a scab.

In case of injury with ammonia, the pain syndrome is more pronounced. In addition, in this case, the amount of wet dead tissue increases.

What you need to do in case of a burn with ammonia:

1. As in previous cases, it is required to place the affected area under running water. The pressure should be minimal so as not to create additional irritation. If it was not possible to immediately wash the wound, then the procedure is extended by half an hour;
2. Then the burn with ammonia must be neutralized. A solution of soda (1 tsp for ½ l of water) or a soap solution will help in this;
3. Then the wound needs to be protected with a bandage.

To exclude the development of complications, you need to provide first aid to the victim. Then assess the degree of damage and, if necessary, go to the hospital. If the burn does not heal well or suppuration has begun, it means that a secondary infection has occurred.

In this case, medical assistance will also be required, but the treatment can be carried out at home.