Chemical burns

[Couch Potatoe]

Chemical burns are caused by caustic substances that contact the skin, eyes, or are swallowed.
(See also Burns to the Eye.)
Caustic substances are chemicals that can damage tissue. The damage is similar to a burn caused by heat.
Caustic substances are sometimes present in household products, including those containing lye (in drain cleaners and paint removers), phenols (in deodorizers, sanitizers, and disinfectants), sodium hypochlorite (in disinfectants and bleaches), sulfuric acid (in toilet bowl cleaners and battery acid), and hydrochloric acid (in swimming pool chemicals and masonry cleaners).
Many chemicals used in industry and during armed conflicts can cause burns. Wet cement left on the skin can cause severe burns as well.
Usually, people accidentally spill or splash the caustic substance on themselves. However, sometimes people swallow the caustic substance (see also Caustic Substances Poisoning). Many ingestions of caustic substances are accidental, occurring when young children swallow products that have not been properly secured or kept out of their reach. Caustic substances are sometimes deliberately swallowed by adults attempting suicide.