How do you treat potassium hydroxide burns?

Answer 1

Potential Health Effects

Eye: Causes severe eye burns. May cause irreversible eye injury. Contact may cause ulceration of the conjunctiva and cornea. Eye damage may be delayed.

SKIN

■ The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct contact with the skin.

■ Potassium hydroxide burns are not immediately painful; onset of pain may be delayed minutes or hours; thus care should be taken to

avoid contamination of gloves and boots.

■ Skin contact with alkaline corrosives may produce severe pain and burns; brownish stains may develop.

The corroded area may be soft, gelatinous and necrotic; tissue destruction may be deep.

■ Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.

■ Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects.

Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.

Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause circulatory system failure. May cause perforation of the digestive tract. Causes severe digestive tract burns with abdominal pain, vomiting, and possible death.

Inhalation: Harmful if inhaled. Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Causes severe irritation of upper respiratory tract with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty, and possible coma.

Eyes: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.

Skin: Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Discard contaminated clothing in a manner which limits further exposure.

Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid immediately.

Inhalation: Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a mask.

Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis.

Short of the answer. Lots of water, to the hospital