A burn from an acidic substance is a serious injury, but coming into contact with even a small amount of hydrofluoric acid (HF) can be fatal. This acid is extremely toxic and can even penetrate glass. In the United States alone, about 1,000 cases of this type of burn are reported every year, although the exact number is not actually known. HF burns account for 17% of all chemical burns and can manifest differently than those caused by excessive heat, such as those caused by the stove, fire, sun or even an iron. This is a very dangerous injury, since the pain does not manifest immediately, thus increasing the risk of worsening the damage without being aware of it; most accidents affect the fingers and hands, where acid involuntarily comes into contact with the skin. While it is very dangerous, there are ways to protect yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Skin Burn
Step 1. Recognize the effects
Hydrofluoric acid coming into contact with the skin can cause severe chemical burns; causes significant damage to skin tissues, as it is a corrosive substance that burns, can penetrate the skin and cause further injury in the underlying layer.
- The situation can also worsen, depending on the concentration of the acid and the duration of exposure.
- However, regardless of concentration, the burn can reach deep skin tissues after prolonged exposure; the longer the skin is in contact with the acid, the more the burn gets worse.
Step 2. Distinguish the different degrees of burns
There are three distinct categories of HF burns. The first-degree one manifests itself as white spots surrounded by red, painful patches on the skin.
- A second-degree burn appears with white spots and surrounding red areas, but also with blisters and edema, due to the loss of intracellular fluids leaking out of the damaged tissue.
- When it is of the third degree, the burn is similar to that of the second degree, but with blisters and necrotic areas, that is, areas of dead tissue.
- Dead tissue appears with bluish or black spots around the burn.
Step 3. Remove all contaminated clothing immediately
If your clothes are partially impregnated with hydrofluoric acid, you must remove them immediately or in any case detach the portion that is in contact with the skin. In this way, you prevent the corrosive substance from further adhering to the epidermis and stop the continued exposure which could make the situation worse.
- Make sure that the clothes come into contact with the skin as little as possible when you remove them; if you are concerned that they may be contaminated with acid, do not touch them with bare skin.
- If possible, use gloves, a mask and a gown.
Step 4. Rinse the area
If you come in contact with HF, you need to rinse the affected skin under a safety shower or suitable water hose. Bring the burned area under the water so that it flows down and away from the skin. be sure to wet only the burned area and not other parts of the body.
- This steady stream of fresh water shouldn't be too cold, but enough to soothe the burned area.
- Continue to wet your skin for at least 15 minutes.
Step 5. Ask another person to call the ambulance
Hydrofluoric acid burns are very serious, can lead to many systemic problems and even death. You need to get help as soon as possible, as this type of injury requires specific medical attention, regardless of how you feel or what you think is necessary. Get someone to call for help while you try to avoid continued exposure to acid.
Seek medical treatment as soon as the incident has occurred to reduce the amount of time the substance can continue to do damage
Step 6. Once the burn has been treated with water, take care of the wound
There are a few things to do after rinsing out the burn. Massage the skin on and around the burn with a generous amount of calcium gluconate gel and leave it in place for at least 20 minutes. after intensive water rinsing, this should be the first line of treatment.
- You can also use Hexafluorine® solution, a chemical compound that is used very often for HF burns. However, some studies have not found it to be as effective in reducing electrolyte imbalance, as is the case with proper rinsing with water.
- If you don't have calcium gluconate available, an antacid containing magnesium hydroxide can also offer some benefits; look for a common one, like Maalox.
Step 7. Undergo treatments
Seeking professional medical care allows you to evaluate long-term adverse effects; the therapy aims to reduce the consequences of the burn and at the same time manage the resulting pain. Before you leave the hospital, your doctor examines your electrolyte imbalance by taking a blood test, checks that you have no palpitations, arrhythmias, and may have an electrocardiogram to make sure your heart rate is regular.
- Your doctor may continue to undergo similar tests during follow-up visits to make sure that no long-term complications occur once you are discharged from the hospital.
- If only your fingers have been exposed to the acid, you may be discharged with the only prescription of calcium gluconate gel and with the recommendation to wear latex gloves after applying it, in order to maximize its effects by promoting better absorption in the skin.
- Your doctor should see you at least once 24 hours after your discharge; depending on the severity of the exposure and its assessment, it could also be a simple phone call to confirm the state of health.
Method 2 of 4: Ocular Burn
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
If the eyes have come into contact with hydrofluoric acid, symptoms appear quickly. If it was moderate exposure, you should experience rapid irritation and possibly pain, possibly followed by clouding of the cornea (leucoma), which can be reversible.
If the exposure is more severe, be prepared for a rapid onset of pain and damage to the cornea, which can be destroyed, and the eye may swell; the clouding can be permanent, as well as other possible visual defects
Step 2. Rinse your eyes with water
As soon as they come in contact with the acid, you need to rinse them with plenty of fresh running water for at least thirty minutes. This way, you can excrete the substance and try to prevent further damage. If only one eye was affected, make sure that contaminated water does not enter the other; when washing keep the eyelids open and away from the eyeballs.
Tilt your head sideways, so that the water flows from the nose towards the temples; this precaution prevents acid contaminated water from flowing towards the eye, nose, mouth or other vital areas of the face
Step 3. Seek medical attention
Once your eyes are rinsed, you need to go immediately at the emergency room. Your best bet would be to see an eye doctor, as they know the best way to handle the problem. This is a question that is never repeated enough: hydrofluoric acid is a highly reactive substance and can cause very serious damage, vision defects and even blindness.
Step 4. Apply a cold pack
On your way to the emergency room, you should apply ice to your eyes to reduce the effects of the acid while relieving painful symptoms.
Step 5. Get treatment from an ophthalmologist
Once you reach the hospital or doctor's office, the specialist examines the situation in an attempt to limit the damage in the long term. You will probably have to keep rinsing; you may be prescribed a topical tetracaine ointment and a 1% calcium gluconate rinse.
The aim of immediate treatment is to reduce pain, neutralize the effects of the burn and then define a treatment plan based on the results
Step 6. Get investigated
Before you are discharged, your doctor should investigate electrolyte imbalance with a blood test, test for heart palpitations, arrhythmia, and have an electrocardiogram to make sure everything is normal.
Your doctor may ask you to perform other similar tests and to have additional follow-up visits even after your discharge to make sure you don't develop symptoms in the long term. As with skin burns, they may want to see you at least once 24 hours after your discharge or at least talk to you by phone, depending on the severity of your case
Method 3 of 4: Burn by Inhalation
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
It can be difficult to recognize them, because mild and severe inhalations produce similar ailments. Those due to light exposure include irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, coughing, burning and / or narrowing of the airways resulting in difficulty in breathing.
Among the symptoms of a severe inhalation you can find all those described above, an immediate narrowing of the airways, as well as pulmonary edema which in turn can lead to an accumulation of fluids in the lungs; lung collapse can also occur
Step 2. Immediately remove the victim from the source of hydrofluoric acid
If you have been exposed to HF by inhalation, you are probably unable to assess your health condition due to severe symptoms; however, if you rescue a person who has suffered this accident, you can check their vital signs.
- Pay attention to his pulse, breathing, and make sure his airways are clear so he can breathe.
- Continue to monitor her for any visible symptoms and do your best to relieve her discomfort while waiting for medical intervention.
- If you see that she has difficulty breathing, give her oxygen if available.
- If the victim stops breathing, it is necessary for a qualified rescuer to intervene with artificial respiration, such as that performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Step 3. Seek immediate medical attention
Inhalation exposure to acid can kill quickly; this means you need to call for help as soon as possible. This form of exposure can cause serious damage and the victim can only be treated at a medical center, as there are not many effective treatments outside the hospital.
Although there is a lot of research and scientific studies regarding exposure to hydrofluoric acid in the skin, there are not many comprehensive analyzes for that by inhalation. The treatment for this type of injury is very complex and much experimental research is still required before finding appropriate therapeutic techniques
Step 4. Undergo hospital treatment
If HF inhalation is suspected, time is of the essence and treatment should begin as soon as possible. Your doctor will give you imaging tests and spirometry to check for damage or decreased function of the respiratory system.
- Spirometry measures the ability to use lung capacity and is performed by blowing into a tube that measures the actual functionality of the lungs; the ability to inhale, exhale and the rhythm of breathing is evaluated.
- As with other types of exposure, also in this case the doctor prescribes a blood test to check the electrolyte balance, checks for any arrhythmias, heart palpitations and may request an electrocardiogram to monitor any abnormalities. He or she will likely also want to see you a second time within 24 hours of your discharge from the hospital or even just hear from you on the phone, depending on the severity of your case.
Method 4 of 4: Burn by Ingestion
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Ingesting hydrofluoric acid can cause many symptoms and their definition is rather complicated, since those of systemic exposure cannot be ruled out. Among the main ones you may notice nausea, vomiting, burning in the mouth and airways, abdominal pain; you may also have necrotic areas of the stomach and digestive tract, which can cause severe pain.
- You may be suffering from gastric bleeding accompanied by stomach inflammation.
- Another symptom is pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas due to exposure to HF from the digestive tract.
Step 2. Drink lots of water
If you have ingested this acid, it is necessary to immediately drink a large amount of water, in order to dilute it and reduce the severity of the damage; avoid making yourself vomit. Alternatively, you can also drink milk. If the victim is conscious, make him drink 120-250ml of water or milk.
- If it is a child, do not give more than 120ml of liquid.
- Proceed with great caution when dealing with this type of exposure; the hydrofluoric acid contained in anti-rust products can cause death within 90 minutes.
Step 3. Seek immediate medical attention
Ingesting this acid causes death and can lead to many permanent internal organ damage; if you are concerned that you have been exposed to HF, you should always go to health care facilities as soon as possible; you will likely receive immediate treatment to try to neutralize the acid, even if you have already started them on the way to the emergency room.
You need to be monitored closely for any worsening of the effects of the burn over time, as the acid can damage the body at different times, depending on the concentration and level of exposure
Step 4. Neutralize the acid
Once you have drunk the milk or water and called for help, you need to try to bind certain substances contained in the acid with one that neutralizes them. Take chewable calcium-containing antacid tablets, which help weaken HF. in particular, calcium helps to bind the acid component in the body.
- You can try different products, such as milk of magnesia, Maalox, or other antacid liquids; drink 120-250 ml to obtain benefits.
- Don't overdo your fluid intake trying to try different methods, you don't have to throw up; vomiting can aggravate the effect of the acid, which could affect other areas that were not initially damaged or exposed to the substance.
Step 5. Undergo other tests
Your doctor will probably prescribe other blood tests to check for any reduction in calcium that is "sequestered" by the acid ingested; this deficiency can lead to heart problems and even cardiac arrest. Your doctor may also have you do urinalysis to check your fluid levels and manage your fluid intake accordingly, in addition to possibly replenishing lost electrolytes.
They may also order the same tests that are needed for other forms of acid exposure, so you can check your electrolyte balance, heart complications, and other lasting problems
Advice
- You may not experience immediate pain from the burn; seek medical attention even if you are unsure whether you have been exposed to HF.
- When working with hydrofluoric acid with a fume hood, bring it as close to the counter as possible to minimize exposure to the hazardous substance.
- Pain can be controlled with prescription opioid medications.
Warnings
- Hydrofluoric acid is corrosive and rapidly penetrates tissues, causing pain, nerve and bone damage. When exposure to this acid is feared, it is extremely important to intervene promptly.
- You cannot effectively treat a HF burn alone; Appropriate medical equipment, drugs and experienced personnel are needed to achieve the best possible results.
