Chemical Burn of the Skin (Child)
Burns damage the skin and tissues under the skin. Some burns are caused by chemicals. Chemical burns can affect just the skin. They can also affect the entire body.
Symptoms of a chemical burn include pain, rash, redness, swelling, and blisters. Even small burns can damage underlying tissue. Severe chemical burns may cause shock. Symptoms of shock include:
Common household cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals. These include ammonia, bleach, and lye. Drain cleaners, laundry detergent packets, and rust removers are very toxic. Some dangerous chemicals can be found in hair, skin, and nail products.
Chemical burns are first treated by flushing the affected skin with clean water or saline. The burn is flushed for at least 20 minutes, or until the pain eases. This cuts down on the amount of the chemical in contact with the skin. If the chemical is a powder, the powder is brushed away. Contaminated clothing is carefully taken off. The healthcare provider will put an antibiotic cream or ointment on the burn. They may cover the burn with a sterile dressing. Medicine and cool, wet compresses can ease pain. Minor burns will heal without additional treatment. Severe burns take longer to heal. They may also scar.
Home care
The healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment. This is to prevent infection. They may advise a pain medicine. Follow the provider’s instructions for giving these medicines to your child.
If you need to change the bandage:
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Follow the provider’s instructions on when and how to change the bandage.
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Follow any instructions for how to care for the wound.
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Remove a bandage that sticks to the skin by first soaking it in warm water.
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Gently remove any adhesive by using mineral oil or petroleum jelly on a cotton ball. Children have sensitive skin that can be irritated by adhesive.
General care
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Wash your hands well with soap and clean, running water before and after caring for the wound.
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Put cool, wet compresses on the area to ease pain as advised by your provider. Don’t use any burn ointments or salve that is not prescribed.
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Check the wound often for signs of infection. This can include fever, or redness, swelling, or pain that gets worse. See "When to get medical care" below.
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You may give over-the-counter medicine as directed to control your child's pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Before giving these medicines, tell the healthcare provider if your child has liver or kidney disease. Tell them if your child has had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding. Never give aspirin to a child or teen without first discussing it with their healthcare provider. Taking aspirin can put a child or teen at risk for Reye syndrome. This is a rare but serious disorder. It most often affects the brain and the liver.
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You may give your child diphenhydramine for itching. Tell your child not to scratch or pick at the wound. Trim their fingernails short.
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Dress your child in loose-fitting clothing.
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Protect the wound from the sun.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider as advised.
Special note to parents
Store all chemicals in a locked cabinet, out of reach of children. For information, call the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
When to get medical care
Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Fever of or higher than 100.4°F (38°C) oral or 101.4°F (38.5°C) rectal, or as advised by your child's provider
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Redness or swelling of the burn that gets worse
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Fluid from the burn that smells bad
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Wound doesn’t heal
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Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting