Instructions on how to give effective first aid when burning H2SO4 . acid

Acid H2SO4 is one of the widely used industrial chemicals. Therefore, accidents involving H2SO4 acid are also relatively common, the most common being H2SO4 acid burns causing serious complications. This article will help you learn more about first aid for H2SO4 acid burns to minimize the damage caused.

Acid H2SO4 is an extremely dangerous chemical that can cause painful death or lifelong disfigurement if accidentally exposed. In the case of concentrated acids can cause burning pain, deep burns, lasting many days. Therefore, timely first aid measures when burns are very important, it can reduce pain and reduce possible sequelae.

Timely first aid measures for H2SO4 acid burns help relieve pain and reduce possible sequelae

Harmful effects of H2SO4 acid on the human body

When people are exposed to mild H2SO4 acid, burns, more serious can lead to death.

Acid in the eye can damage the cornea, leading to corneal ulcers or complete burning of the cornea. The most severe consequence for the victim is a reduction or complete loss of vision. Sometimes severe burns have to completely remove the eye structure to avoid affecting surrounding organs.

Acid on the skin can cause severe burns or gangrene. Burns caused by acid H2SO4 are often difficult to clean and cause persistent pain for the victim. After the burn heals, it leaves a very unsightly scar. For female victims, burns caused by acid H2SO4 can completely destroy the face, causing psychological trauma that is difficult to recover.

Drinking acid will cause damage to internal organs due to the large decomposition of acid. If too much acid is taken, the victim will die almost immediately from  traumatic necrosis of the larynx .

Why does H2SO4 acid cause such burns to the human body?

According to research by scientists, H2SO4 acid can cause damage to the skin within 5 seconds of contact. It burns tissue very quickly, and if it burns through the basement membrane, that is, the skin that covers the surface, even for a moment, it will definitely cause skin burns and very deep scars.

H2SO4 acid has the potential to cause burns to the human body because it reacts with proteins in the skin, hair, toenails, nails... When in contact with these areas, H2SO4 acid coagulates proteins in tissues and sucks them up. water from cells. They also bind to proteins and form acidic proteins. These proteins are acidic and continue to cause burns deep into the skin.

H2SO4 acid has the potential to cause burns to the human body because it reacts with proteins in the skin, hair, toenails, and nails.

This process changes and breaks peptide bonds, colloidal tissue deposition, tissue protein is completely precipitated, tissue collagen is replaced by fibrous necrotic tissue. The higher the acid concentration and the longer the exposure time, the more severe and deep the burns and skin necrosis, the ability to heal wounds is almost zero.

When acid H2SO4 causes burns, the skin will turn gray again, then turn brown, the scales are harder and more concave than the healthy skin.

First aid measures for burns victims of acid H2SO4

After determining the cause of the burn is H2SO4 acid, you need to calmly take appropriate first aid measures in case of burns to increase recovery and limit injury to the victim.

In case of acid splash in the eye, the patient should first keep calm and avoid rubbing his eyes with his hands to reduce the risk of blindness. Maintain eye condition and rinse under running water by opening eyes and tilting head and letting water run over eyes for at least 20 minutes to wash away acid from cornea. If the pain is too much, try spraying hot water from the shower on your forehead and let the water run over the affected eye area.

If acid gets on the skin, the patient should first wash the acid off the skin with cold water for 15 minutes. If acid gets on clothing, the infected area must be cut as soon as possible with tools such as scissors or a knife.

If acid gets on the skin, the patient should first wash the acid off the skin with cold water for 15 minutes

After washing with water, wrap the burn area with sterile gauze, take the injured person to the nearest medical center for timely examination and treatment.

The following notes should be kept in mind during first aid for burn patients due to H2SO4 acid:

• Do not use ice cubes on burns. Ice can cause burns to rupture due to sudden changes in muscle tissue temperature, leading to more tissue damage or frostbite.
• Do not use microfiber towels to clean or bandage wounds, as these fibers can cause pain to the injured person, make it difficult for medical personnel to clean the burn, and increase the risk of infection.
• If blisters appear on the burn, do not squeeze or poke to prevent bubbles from bursting.

Not everyone knows how to give first aid to minimize the damage caused by H2SO4 acid burns. So, hopefully with this article, you have better understood the correct and quick first aid for H2SO4 acid burns as well as what to keep in mind for this type of burn. In particular, for severe burns, the victim should be given first aid and taken to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.