Treating chemical burns

If you think you have a chemical burn, take these steps immediately:

• Remove the cause of the burn. Flush the chemical off the skin with cool running water for at least 10 minutes. For dry chemicals, brush off any remaining material before flushing. Wear gloves or use a towel or other suitable object, such as a brush.
• Remove clothing or jewelry that has been contaminated by the chemical.
• Bandage the burn. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage (not fluffy cotton) or a clean cloth. Wrap it loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin.
• Flush again if needed. If you experience increased burning after the initial flushing, flush the burn area with water again for several more minutes.

Make sure that your tetanus booster is up to date.