What to do about chemical burns

  Although the management of strong acids and bases has been strengthened and the education of children and parents has been enhanced, there are still cases of misuse. Recently, our hospital admitted three cases of misuse of chemical substances and one case of sulfuric acid, in which large burns appeared in the oral cavity. Children who accidentally take strong acids or bases or are exposed to such chemicals in the mouth are prone to corrosive burns of the oral mucosa and lips. The oral mucosa exposed to the chemicals will become congested and edematous, with large areas of erosion, and some children may even develop necrosis of the oral mucosa in the form of a white pseudomembrane. In addition, oral mucosal burns often affect the pharynx, and edema is easily transferred to the soft tissues of the neck and throat, which can easily cause asphyxia. Potassium permanganate powder into the mouth is to become brown-black film, attached to the oral mucosa surface, serious cases can be burned into oral ulcers. If the chemical enters the digestive tract through the mouth, the esophagus and gastric mucosa will cause corrosion, erosion, ulcer bleeding, edema of the mucosa, and even gastric perforation, causing shock in serious cases. Therefore, once found inadvertently take strong acid, strong alkali and other chemicals parents should immediately wash the mouth with water or saline, accidentally take potassium permanganate powder also available vitamin C solution local rinse, can reduce the degree of mucosal burns, and oral milk, egg white, soy milk, etc.. Then you should immediately send to the hospital, by a professional doctor and then do the corresponding treatment of the oral cavity and the whole body of the child. Here, the doctor reminds parents that children nowadays are curious and inquisitive, often perceiving the world through their “mouths and tongues”, so strong acids, strong bases and other chemicals must be kept away from children and placed out of their reach to avoid danger.