Ammonia in ampoules got into the eye - Medicine

Eye injuries are a common injury that causes vision impairment and can lead to blindness. A chemical burn to the eye poses a great danger. It can easily be obtained by careless handling of toxic substances. If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to know how to provide first aid. Correct actions reduce the damaging effects of chemicals and can preserve vision.

How can you burn your eyes?

Most often, chemical burns to the eyes occur at work. You can injure the mucous membrane at home if you do not follow safety precautions when using household chemicals, lime, and ammonia. Even if a small amount of the substance is used, gloves and special safety glasses must be worn. Regular glasses do not adhere to the skin and leave pathways for irritants to enter.

Eye burns can occur during eyelash extensions. The glue used in the salon is a strong irritant. Contact with it causes swelling, itching, burning, redness and pain.

Chemical burns to the eye are a common consequence of using a gas spray for self-defense. Upon contact with an irritant, blepharospasm may occur, that is, the eye will close abruptly and will not open. Usually the spasm lasts for an hour if the eye is not washed out in time. It is recommended to blink for 5 minutes after rinsing to restore muscle function.

Precautionary measures

To prevent chemical burns, you should:

use personal protective equipment - rubber gloves, safety glasses, respirator;
store ammonia in a glass container with an airtight lid;
thoroughly ventilate the room after using the drug;
refrain from wiping the skin and mucous membranes with the drug.

It is strictly not recommended to use ammonia for rinsing your mouth. When treating skin diseases, it is better to give preference to safer antiseptics - Chlorhexidine, Miramistin.

Symptoms of ammonia burn

Ammonia gas leakage can occur at any time in industries that work with this substance.

In such a situation, ammonia will be dangerous not only for the workers of the enterprise, but also for those who are in close proximity to the enterprise where the accident occurred.

Domestic cases of injury from pure ammonia are rare. But people often get injured with ammonia (10 percent ammonia solution) when trying to use it orally or simply incorrectly.

The main signs of injury from ammonia solutions:

When burned with vapors - suffocation, paroxysmal coughing, hallucinations, delirium, increased agitation.
If the skin is injured, there is severe burning, irritation, redness, itching and pain. The higher the severity of the burn, the more severe the damage. 1st degree burns are accompanied by irritation of the upper epidermal layer, and 3rd degree burns are accompanied by necrosis of soft tissues.
If ammonia solution gets into the eyes - pain, burning, increased lacrimation, severe discomfort, intolerance to bright light.
Burn of the esophagus when diluted ammonia is ingested - stomach pain, vomiting with an ammonia smell, severe thirst, diarrhea, painful urge (mild burn of the esophagus). In severe cases, severe pain, suffocation, loss of consciousness, and coma occur.
Injuries from consuming undiluted ammonia include irritation of the mucous membranes of the lips, tongue, oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus. Swelling of the above organs. In some cases, swelling blocks the trachea and larynx, causing the victim to be unable to breathe. In the most severe case, anaphylactic shock occurs.

Agree, you wouldn’t want to get any of the burns described above. Therefore, do not use ammonia and ammonia at home, especially as oral folk remedies (for example, ammonia with water is a folk remedy for intoxication).

Ammonia got into the eye, what should I do?

Good day to you, dear readers! A burn with ammonia is one of the most common household burns. It occurs due to careless and improper use of this drug.

Ammonia is a clear, colorless solution with a strong, unpleasant aroma. In medicine, it is used as a local wound healing agent.

In addition, it is used as a respiratory stimulant during loss of consciousness, an antiseptic, and also as a disinfectant and stain remover for household needs.

Emergency care for a burn with ammonia

It is recommended to provide emergency assistance immediately after contact with an alkaline substance. If the substance gets on the skin, remove any clothing that may have gotten wet and rinse the wound with plenty of running water.

After rinsing, the pain should decrease slightly. This means that the ammonia has stopped corroding the tissue and the injury has stopped spreading.

The second stage of emergency assistance is aimed at completely neutralizing the harmful substance.

To do this, apply a gauze bandage soaked in a weak solution of acetic or citric acid to the skin or mucous membranes (lips, tongue, but not eyes). Why acids? It's simple: the acid neutralizes the alkali.

Alkaline burns cause severe pain, so the victim cannot do without painkillers. For pain relief you can take:

Absolutely all chemical burns must be treated under the supervision of a specialist doctor. The specialist will determine how to treat the injury in the future. For example, eye burns are treated with anti-inflammatory camels, and skin injuries are treated with wound healing and anti-scar ointments.

Preventing burns with ammonia

Work with the drug carefully, protect your hands with gloves. Medical rubber gloves are quite suitable for these purposes, but it is better to use denser, better quality and more reliable ones.
Do not trust folk recipes that recommend taking ammonia orally. Even in diluted form, this drug is not suitable for oral use.
If you use ammonia to remove stains, thoroughly ventilate the room during and after cleaning. Use diluted ammonia.
Keep the alcohol solution out of the reach of children. The bottle of alcohol must always be tightly closed, otherwise its contents may accidentally spill onto someone in the household.
Do not wipe your skin with undiluted ammonia.

Source: //womaninred.ru/nashatyr-popal-v-glaz-chto-delat/

Degree of eye burn

Almost all chemicals can irritate the mucous membranes of the eye, but serious damage occurs upon contact with strong alkalis and acids. Alkali burns occur most often, but they are also the most dangerous, especially with bilateral damage. Often such injuries result in visual impairment.

The severity of a chemical burn will depend on the volume, temperature and concentration of the irritant, duration of exposure and degree of penetration. In some circumstances, the person's age is also important: in general, children tend to have more severe burns.

There are four degrees of eye burn, but the mechanism of damage by alkalis and acids is different. The initial assessment of burn severity is based on the degree of corneal transparency and the severity of ischemia (blanching).

Degree of eye burn:

First degree (favorable prognosis). It is characterized by the absence of ischemia and the transparent state of the cornea.
Second degree (good prognosis). Ischemia affects a third of the limbus, there is clouding of the cornea, but details of the iris are visible.
Third degree (ambiguous prognosis). There is clouding of the corneal stroma, the epithelium is completely lost, ischemia from a third to half of the limbus masks the details of the iris.
Fourth degree (poor prognosis). Ischemia affects most of the limbus, and there is total opacification of the cornea.

Additionally, the filling of limbal vessels is considered. When determining the degree, the extent of destruction of the corneal epithelium, the presence of symptoms of conjunctivitis, the condition of the lens and iris, as well as indicators of intraocular pressure are also taken into account.

Emergency help

What to do if you are burned by ammonia? First of all, it is necessary to provide emergency assistance as follows:

If the substance gets into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water or a buffer solution. After washing, drip 0.5% dicaine solution.
If on the skin, treat the affected area with a 5% solution of boric, citric or acetic acid.
For severe pain, you need painkillers, which can be non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics.
During an emergency, an ambulance is called. Doctors will prescribe further treatment based on the severity of the injury.

Now let's take a closer look at emergency assistance for the most common cases of ammonia scalding.

There are 4 degrees of damage for chemical burns of the eye with acid and alkali. Help needs to be provided as quickly as possible. This will minimize damage and improve the prognosis for recovery.

First of all, you need to rinse the affected area. This must be done no later than half an hour after injury.
You will need saline solution, potassium permanganate slightly diluted in water, or 0.9% sodium chloride solution. You can use regular cool water.
The procedure should be carried out for 20 minutes, washing the mucous membrane from the inner corner of the eye to the outer.
If the cause of the burn is a solid substance, you must first remove it with tweezers or a sterile cloth.
To provide qualified emergency care, it is important to find out what exactly caused the injury, because the effect of chemicals can be neutralized.
When alkali gets into the eye, rinsing should be done with a three percent acetic solution or two percent boric acid.
Acid burns should be washed with a solution of baking soda - 25 g of the substance is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water.

To prevent the development of infection, you can instill a solution of Furacilin. Then you should cover the eye with sterile gauze, secure it with a bandage and go to the hospital. It is advisable to take with you a bottle of the reagent that caused the injury. Studying the contents will help doctors prescribe the right therapy.

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What to do if ammonia gets into your eye

The maximum permissible concentration of ammonia in the air is 20 mg per 1 m3.
If it is higher, ammonia poisoning develops when such air is inhaled. Ammonia emissions into the air, which increase its concentration to a level that can cause poisoning, occur as a result of accidents at chemical plants. Ammonia poisoning also occurs when working in sewer and treatment pits without the use of personal protective equipment.

When ammonia enters the bloodstream, it causes a sharp dilation of blood vessels and, as a result, a drop in blood pressure, up to the development of collapse. In addition, ammonia has a pronounced irritating effect on the skin, mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and eyes; contact with it causes a chemical burn.

At the first signs of ammonia poisoning, the victim should leave the place of high concentration as quickly as possible.

If the victim is unconscious or disoriented, the rescuer, before entering the emergency zone, should cover his mouth and nose with a gauze bandage moistened with a 5% solution of citric acid (1 tsp.

dilute citric acid powder in ½ cup of warm water). Then call an ambulance and begin providing first aid.

Provide fresh air flow.
Rinse the skin with running water or a 5% citric acid solution.
Rinse the eyes thoroughly with running water, then drip 1-2 drops of dicaine solution and apply a cotton-gauze bandage to the eyelids.
Rinse your mouth, nose, and throat with a 5% citric acid solution for 15 minutes.
If breathing stops, provide artificial ventilation to the victim using the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose method until the ambulance arrives.

Causes of injuries caused by ammonia solution

Remember that ammonia is an extremely toxic and strictly local solution (can only be used externally).

Ammonia contains caustic alkaline substances and alcohol. Alcohol corrodes the skin, and alkalis have a strong cauterizing effect.

Chemical injuries are dangerous because the harmful substance penetrates deeply into the skin, begins to affect it faster and is difficult to remove from it.

The victim of the above-described alcohol solution must be provided with first emergency aid in a timely manner. How to do this is described below in the article.

And now I propose to study the main symptoms of ammonia burn.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms of ammonia poisoning appear almost immediately after exposure. These include:

lacrimation, photophobia, blepharospasm;
copious discharge of fluid from the nose (rhinorrhea), increased salivation;
hyperemia of the mucous membranes;
hoarseness, soreness and sore throat;
dry paroxysmal cough;
pain and feeling of constriction in the chest;
breathing problems;
intense headache;
dyspeptic disorders (heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
the formation of blisters on the skin, which subsequently open and specific crusts appear in their place.

In case of severe ammonia poisoning, victims experience significant burns of the respiratory tract, which leads to the development of pneumonia and pulmonary edema.

Signs of ammonia burns

At the site of contact of the solution with the skin or mucous membranes of the oral cavity, persistent superficial hyperemia first appears, accompanied by multiple ulcerations. Affected area:

itches a lot;
swelling;
hurts;
becomes covered with sores or blisters;
blushes.

If assistance is not provided to the victim at this stage, then after 12-24 hours he may develop severe lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by tissue necrosis. Necrosis is the death of tissue after which it cannot be restored.

Alkaline (ammonia) burns of the mouth and eyes are especially dangerous. If a dangerous drug enters the esophagus, a severe burn of the mucous membrane occurs, the spread and progression of which is difficult to stop.

Even the weakest 10% preparation mercilessly absorbs moisture and rapidly dissolves protein, forming alkaline albuminates with it. Penetrating into the bloodstream, these substances begin to poison the body literally.

Consequences of eye injury from ammonia

There is an opinion that a quartz lamp cannot cause harm when used, but this is not true. It is necessary to follow the operating and safety rules in order not to cause harm to health.

So, if you stay under the rays of a quartz lamp for too long, you can cause eye injury. A burn to the organs of vision caused by improper use of a quartz lamp is one of the most common types of eye injury.

Such a violation of the operation of a quartz radiation device can often be observed not only when using a quartz lamp at home, but also in a medical facility. If this happens, you cannot treat eye burns from a quartz lamp yourself.

As you know, the eyes are a rather delicate and sensitive organ; any careless handling can cause irreparable injury to the visual organ or even completely lose vision. Therefore, if any problem occurs in the eye area, you must first seek qualified help from a medical facility.

Ammonia poisoning has a serious prognosis. Complications include:

damage to the nervous system: tremors of the limbs, dizziness, disorders of skin sensitivity and balance, tics, disorientation, decreased intelligence, amnesia;
hearing loss up to the onset of permanent deafness;
decrease in visual acuity of varying severity, up to its complete loss.

Vision is the most valuable thing that nature has given us. It must be protected, especially from alkaline burn injuries.

In addition, signs of more serious damage may appear: swelling, hemorrhage, anaphylactic shock.

Complications may be as follows:

iridocyclide;
cataract;
corneal necrosis;
prolapse of the iris.

If ammonia gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately with cool running water. At the same time, it is necessary to call an ambulance, since only a doctor can predict and prevent the consequences of alkaline injuries.

When is medical help needed?

In case of ammonia poisoning, medical attention is always necessary; the prognosis largely depends on the timeliness of treatment.

The victims are advised to be hospitalized in the toxicology department. During the day they must observe strict bed rest, even if the symptoms of intoxication are not pronounced.

Treatment is symptomatic. Severe laryngospasm may require a tracheostomy. According to general rules, treatment of burns of the skin and cornea is carried out. To prevent the development and treatment of pneumonia, broad-spectrum antibiotics are indicated.

Prevention

At chemical industry enterprises, it is necessary to comply with all safety requirements with the utmost care. To prevent ammonia poisoning when working with it, you should use personal protective equipment:

latex gloves;
rubber boots;
chemical protection suit;
respirators or gas masks.

If an emergency occurs, cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth and immediately leave the contaminated area, for example, go down to the lower floors of the building or to the basement.

The fact is that ammonia has a relative density less than air and therefore rises.

In an open space, you also need to cover your face with a piece of damp cloth and quickly step away to a safe distance.

After rinsing, the pain should decrease slightly. This means that the ammonia has stopped corroding the tissue and the injury has stopped spreading.

The second stage of emergency assistance is aimed at completely neutralizing the harmful substance.

Alkaline burns cause severe pain, so the victim cannot do without painkillers. For pain relief you can take:

Ketoprofen;
Ketoropak;
Paracetamol;
Nurofen.

Work with the drug carefully, protect your hands with gloves. Medical rubber gloves are quite suitable for these purposes, but it is better to use denser, better quality and more reliable ones.
Do not trust folk recipes that recommend taking ammonia orally. Even in diluted form, this drug is not suitable for oral use.
If you use ammonia to remove stains, thoroughly ventilate the room during and after cleaning. Use diluted ammonia.
Keep the alcohol solution out of the reach of children. The bottle of alcohol must always be tightly closed, otherwise its contents may accidentally spill onto someone in the household.
Do not wipe your skin with undiluted ammonia.

I hope the article fully answered all your questions and helped you avoid the serious consequences of careless contact with ammonia.

Source: //o-ponose.net.ru/esli-ammiak-popal-glaz-delat/

Features of burns with acids and alkalis

Eye burns from sulfuric acid are not as dangerous as from alkali. This is due to the fact that a film of coagulated protein forms on the eye when the irritant reacts with the mucous membrane. The film does not allow acid to penetrate deep into the eye, protecting the eye from deep damage. However, coagulation does not protect against complications if a concentrate of nitric and hydrofluoric acids gets into the eyes. An acid burn is characterized by severe pain, and sometimes even painful shock.

It is noteworthy that when the eye is damaged by alcohol, a person experiences severe pain, but minimal damage is noted. However, alcohol can absorb moisture from the lubricating fluid and the eyeball, penetrating deep into and damaging the cornea and lens. If washed in a timely manner, there will be no consequences for vision.

The most dangerous are alkali burns. In this case, there is severe dehydration and cell destruction. Alkalies provoke the decomposition of protein structures, wet necrosis develops, and when the irritant gets into the intraocular fluid, the deep structures of the eye are affected. Alkali can reach the corneal stroma and trabecular meshwork. As a result, the cornea becomes cloudy and intraocular pressure increases.

Deterioration of vision. The initial decrease in visual acuity is caused by epithelial defects, increased lacrimation, clouding and discomfort. Even with moderate to severe burns, vision may be preserved if the corneal clouding is minor, but severe deterioration will occur over time.
Fragments of the irritant in the arches of the outer shell. Residues of foreign matter are visible when plaster and other solid irritants enter the eye. The fragments must be removed immediately, otherwise they will continue to release toxins and worsen the damage. Only after cleansing the eye does the natural recovery process begin. Carbide and lime are the most dangerous because they dissolve in the tear and cause severe damage. If these substances come into contact, do not delay cleansing.
Increased intraocular pressure. A sharp increase in pressure occurs due to deformation and contraction of collagen fibers in the anterior part of the eyeball. Subsequently, the increase is associated with inflammation.
Inflammatory process in the conjunctiva. Even with mild damage, swelling and redness of the mucous membrane is noted. Sometimes when a burn occurs, the color of the conjunctiva changes (brown when damaged by chromic acid, yellowish when exposed to nitric acid).
Perilimbal ischemia. Based on the degree of blanching, one can make a prediction about the restoration of the cornea, because limbal sprout cells restore the epithelium. Severe ischemia indicates an unfavorable course of the process.
Cloudiness. If the cornea is transparent, a zero degree of damage is determined, and if the cornea is completely clouded, the fifth degree is determined. Complete stromal opacification makes it impossible to examine the anterior chamber of the eye.
Defects of the corneal epithelium. Damage to the cornea can be expressed as diffuse punctate keratitis or complete absence of the epithelium. In the latter case, the defect is poorly stained with fluorescein and may not be diagnosed. If the epithelial defect is not visible during the initial examination, prompt re-examination is recommended.
Corneal perforation. The symptom appears a few days after a severe eye burn, when the cornea's ability to regenerate decreases.
Inflammation in the anterior region. The reaction may affect single cells or have a pronounced fibrinoid form. Inflammation is more pronounced when alkali gets into the eye, since these substances can penetrate deep into the structures.
Scarring or other damage to the conjunctiva and eyelids. The symptom may be a problem if scarring prevents the palpebral fissure from closing.

Consequences of chemical burns

Chemical damage to soft tissues with ammonium hydroxide is dangerous due to purulent complications. Possible consequences of careless handling of ammonia include:

scarring of the gastrointestinal mucosa;
internal bleeding;
dehydration;
pain shock;
lymphadenitis;
bloody diarrhea;
skin abscess.

Aqueous ammonia absorbs moisture and instantly destroys the protein components of tissues. If it gets into the eyes, it reduces visual acuity. In case of delayed treatment, it destroys the cornea and iris. Clouding of the lens and necrosis of the conjunctiva are possible. Victims complain of constant lacrimation, spasms of the eye muscles, and photophobia.

A burn of more than 30% of the body leads to internal poisoning. The accumulation of tissue breakdown products in the body leads to acute liver and sometimes kidney failure.

What not to do

Chemical eye damage should not be treated independently. You should definitely contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Forbidden:

rub your eyelids;
leave solid chemicals on the mucous membrane;
try to reach particles of the aggressive substance with your fingers;
apply warm compresses;
use medications without a doctor's permission.

Before providing first aid, you need to transfer the victim to a dark room to minimize the effect of light on the eyes and relieve pain. Folk remedies for chemical eye burns are ineffective, and some can be dangerous. Do not wash your eyes with tea or herbal infusion. It is not recommended to refuse the help of doctors in favor of traditional medicine.

First aid for a chemical burn to the eye:

Remains of the substance are removed from the eyelids with a cotton swab.
The eyes are rinsed generously under running water for 15 minutes. It is recommended to additionally wash alkaline burns with a 2% boric acid solution, and acid burns with a soda solution.
If there is severe pain, the patient should be given an effective pain reliever.
Instill a 4% solution of novocaine or lidocaine, or a 0.2% solution of chloramphenicol.
Use a disinfectant (0.25% Levomycetin, Sebizone, Albucid-sodium, Acetopt, Ophthalmite, Gentamicin drops).

Rinsing should last more than 15 minutes. You can use clean water, sodium chloride solution (0.9%) or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If it is not possible to use a special solution, tap water can be used. Potential infection in the long term is not as dangerous as long-term poisoning from the remnants of the irritant.

The entire process of treating a chemical burn can include both conservative and surgical methods. The main thing is to preserve vision. Patients with severe burns need to be hospitalized immediately. In case of damage to degrees I and II, it is advisable to consult a doctor after providing first aid and follow all recommendations at home.

Stages of treatment for chemical eye damage:

Removing the irritant. The most important step in emergency care for chemical burns is copious rinsing. If possible, the eye should be anesthetized before rinsing. Local anesthesia reduces pain and blepharospasm. It is advisable to use a sterile buffer solution (normal saline or Ringer's solution).
Control of the inflammatory process. At the time of damage, inflammatory mediators are released, which provoke necrosis. This process inhibits re-epithelialization and increases the risk of ulcers and corneal perforation. You can interrupt the inflammation with the help of local steroids; citrate or ascorbic acid is additionally prescribed. To inhibit collagenosis and prevent ulcers, 10% or 20% Acetylcysteine is sometimes used.
Acceleration of regeneration. Full epithelization begins only after the irritant is removed from the eye. Chemical damage causes a temporary increase in tear production and a decrease in future tear production, so it is important to use moisturizers for healing. Ascorbic acid helps restore collagen structure and accelerate corneal regeneration. In some cases, wearing therapeutic bandage lenses is recommended.

Since chemical burns to the eyes are accompanied by severe pain, the victim is prescribed powerful anesthetics. Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that prevent the formation of adhesions are used. Treatment of burns usually begins with tetanus vaccination.

If severe inflammation develops with a corneal burn, doctors prescribe glucocorticosteroids:

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Dicaine. Eye drops with leocaine and sodium chloride have a local anesthetic effect, relieve pain and prepare the cavity before surgery. The dosage is determined by the degree of burn.
Ciprofloxacin. The ophthalmic drug is available in the form of drops or ointment, but in case of a burn, the use of a solution is recommended. Ciprofloxacin has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The drug is instilled every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours, then every half hour the next day. On days 3-14, the interval is increased to 4 hours. Ciprofloxacin is only allowed in patients over 1 year of age.
Atropine. For chemical burns to the eyes, this remedy helps reduce pain and prevent adhesions. The active ingredient is atropine sulfate. The drug is instilled three times a day, 1-2 drops.
Diacarb. The drug in tablet form is prescribed for increased intraocular pressure. The effectiveness of Diacarb is due to the content of acetazolamide, magnesium stearate, povidone, croscarmellose sodium and other substances. Usually prescribed one tablet 3-4 times a day. Diacarb is contraindicated in diabetes mellitus, acute liver and kidney failure, uremia, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, in the first trimester of pregnancy and during lactation. The drug is prescribed to patients over 3 years of age.
Prednisolone. This glucocorticosteroid is taken only with the permission of a doctor. Usually prescribed one tablet per day. Prednisolone is contraindicated for fungal infections.

Although chemical burns require emergency treatment, the prognosis is often good. If the damage did not affect the deep structures of the eye, and the appropriate measures were carried out in a timely and correct manner, the preservation of vision will be ensured. In some cases, even immediate help does not prevent the formation of an eyesore. Even after successful treatment, scars may remain and affect the quality of vision.

A serious chemical burn does not occur without prolonged and severe pain. At the initial stage, oral analgesics are most often used. The spam of the ciliary muscle can be weakened with the help of cycloplegic drugs.

If the burn has severely damaged the corneal epithelium, the risk of infection increases. At the initial stage of therapy, antibiotics are prescribed for prophylaxis. Minor, deep corneal injuries can be treated with cyanoacrylate eye glue.

If elevated pressure levels are observed during a burn, blockers of the production of intraocular fluid are prescribed. Such drugs are indicated both at the initial stage of treatment and during late rehabilitation therapy. When elevated intraocular pressure persists even with the use of antihypertensive agents, surgical intervention (penetrating antiglaucoma or surgery with shunt or valve devices) is required.

Burn with ammonia (ammonia): how to treat

Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) is an aqueous solution of ammonia that has a local irritant and antiseptic effect. Used in medicine to disinfect wounds, as well as stimulate breathing during loss of consciousness.

Many people use it to kill bacteria in the mouth. In everyday life, ammonia is used as a stain remover, cleaning agent, and dye. A burn with ammonia is one of the most common household injuries.

The prognosis of treatment depends on the duration of contact with alkali, the extent of the damage, and proper first aid.

Why is ammonia dangerous?

Ammonia solution is a toxic substance that contains alkaline components. An ammonia burn is a chemical injury that causes severe damage to the mucous membranes and skin. Therefore, doctors categorically do not recommend using the drug to treat oral problems.

Burns from ammonia can cause damage to the deep layers of the dermis. Unlike acids, ammonia does not cause tissue coagulation. Therefore, scabs do not form in the damaged areas, which could prevent the drug from penetrating deep into the tissues.

Degree of skin damage

When ammonia gets on the skin and mucous membranes, swelling and weeping wound surfaces with a whitish coating occur. Treatment methods depend on the depth and extent of the damage. More often, only the first three degrees of burns with ammonia occur:

first – slight swelling, redness, moderate pain in the affected areas of the body;
second - ulcers form on the mucous membranes, and watery blisters form on the skin;
third - a weeping wound with a whitish coating and a red edging around appears in the affected area.

With short exposure to tissue, relatively minor wounds occur. Treatment of 1st and 2nd degree burns is carried out at home with local medications - antiseptics, regenerating ointments, analgesics. If the drug is swallowed, treat only in a hospital setting.

Symptoms of chemical burns

An ammonium hydroxide burn always causes severe pain, so treatment begins with painkillers. The following symptoms indicate skin damage by the drug:

burning pain;
swelling;
redness;
small bubbles.

In 90% of cases, ammonia provokes only 1st and 2nd degree burns. But when large areas of the body are affected, sometimes the deep layers of skin and muscles are destroyed. If the wound area is more than 30% of the total skin surface, a burn disease occurs. It is accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication - nausea, weakness, vomiting, kidney or liver failure.

If ammonia gets into your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor. Exposure to the composition may cause the patient to lose vision.

When inhaling ammonia fumes, the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity, pharynx, lungs, etc. are affected. A burn of the ENT organs is indicated by:

hacking cough;
sore throat;
burning in the nose;
overexcitement;
hallucinations;
labored breathing.

The greatest health hazard is caused by internal burns caused by ingesting ammonia. When the gastrointestinal tract is damaged, the following symptoms occur:

pain along the esophagus;
labored breathing;
pressure behind the sternum;
burning in the epigastrium;
strong thirst;
persistent diarrhea;
severe weakness.

Third degree burns are uncommon. Treatment of such injuries is carried out only in a hospital or burn center. The seriousness of the injury is indicated by damage not only to the skin, but also to tendons, muscles, and bone tissue.

Due to damage to sensory receptors, pain sensations are dulled. If assistance is not provided in a timely manner, aggressive ammonia penetrates deeply into the tissues and systemic bloodstream.

This is fraught with burn shock, intoxication, and renal and hepatic failure.

First aid

When the skin is damaged by ammonia, acute pain occurs. Alkaline burns are dangerous due to bacterial complications, so the victim needs to be given first aid:

Neutralization of ammonia. Clothes soaked in the preparation are removed or carefully cut with scissors. To neutralize alkali, use a 5% solution of boric, citric or acetic acid. To prepare it, add 5 g of powder to 100 ml of water.
Washing. The skin wound is washed with running water for 15 minutes. Blot with a clean towel or sterile gauze.
Cooling. Apply a cold pack or ice bag to the burn.
Anesthesia. The victim should be given oral analgesics to relieve pain. They prefer non-steroidal ones - Ibuprofen, Ketorolac.
Treatment of the wound. When treating chemical injuries, you need to treat damaged tissues with Pyromecaine ointment.

A doctor is consulted only for serious burns, which are accompanied by the death of large areas of the skin. For grade 1 and 2 injuries, treatment is continued at home with wound-healing ointments.

More dangerous are burns of ammonia alcohol to the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes. In this case, you need to provide urgent primary assistance:

Washing. If liquid gets into the eye, rinse with running water for 15-20 minutes. In a hospital setting, 0.5% solutions of acetic or boric acid are used. After neutralizing the alkali, a 0.5% Dicaine solution is instilled.
Rinsing the mouth. In case of a burn to the oral mucosa, treatment is carried out with a 1% solution of citric or boric acid.

Non-narcotic analgesics do not always completely relieve pain caused by a burn with ammonia. To enhance their effect, take an additional 1-2 tablets of Sedalgin.

Further therapy

A combustiologist treats burns of the skin, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and ENT organs. The principles of treatment depend on the severity of the injury and the area of damage.

If ammonia gets into your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor. Exposure to the composition may cause the patient to lose vision.

For skin lesions, ammonia is used:

Olazol is a combination medicine that has an antimicrobial and analgesic effect. Used in the treatment of infected skin wounds and non-healing burns.
Pantestin is a gel with miramistin and provitamin B5, which stimulates the regeneration of the epidermis and prevents infection from entering the wound. When treating burns, apply under a bandage 2-3 times a day.
Panthenol is a spray with provitamin B5 that accelerates the healing of the skin. Used in the treatment of extensive wounds up to 5 times a day.
Povidone-Iodine is a topical antiseptic that kills most known bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Prevents purulent inflammation of the skin, stimulates healing.
BoroAyur is a disinfecting cream with calendula that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply under a bandage to treat superficial burns.

When inhaling ammonia fumes, the nasal cavity is washed with a weak solution of boric acid. In case of severe irritation of the respiratory mucosa, the following are used:

Eufillin is a bronchodilator that prevents swelling of the airways and bronchospasms. Used in the treatment of burns of ENT organs to prevent suffocation.
Prednisolone is a hormonal drug with an anti-inflammatory effect. It also has an antioxidant and anti-shock effect in case of burns of the respiratory tract.
Decasan is a disinfectant solution for inhalation that has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Prevents abscesses in the ENT organs, bacterial pneumonia, etc.

To treat wounds in the oral cavity, wound healing ointments, disinfectants and astringent solutions are used. The soft palate, gums and tongue are treated with Metrogil Denta gel. It prevents infectious and inflammatory pathologies and purulent complications. To disinfect the mucous membrane, rinse the mouth with Miramistin or Chlorhexidine.

Serious injuries require hospital treatment. Inhalation of concentrated ammonia fumes is dangerous due to suffocation and severe intoxication. To stabilize the condition of patients, they resort to oxygen therapy. It provides for the inhalation of gaseous mixtures with a high oxygen content - more than 21%. This treatment stimulates metabolism in the body and increases the regenerative properties of tissues.

Consequences of chemical burns

Chemical damage to soft tissues with ammonium hydroxide is dangerous due to purulent complications. Possible consequences of careless handling of ammonia include:

scarring of the gastrointestinal mucosa;
internal bleeding;
dehydration;
pain shock;
lymphadenitis;
bloody diarrhea;
skin abscess.

A burn of more than 30% of the body leads to internal poisoning. The accumulation of tissue breakdown products in the body leads to acute liver and sometimes kidney failure.

Precautionary measures

To prevent chemical burns, you should:

use personal protective equipment - rubber gloves, safety glasses, respirator;
store ammonia in a glass container with an airtight lid;
thoroughly ventilate the room after using the drug;
refrain from wiping the skin and mucous membranes with the drug.

It is strictly not recommended to use ammonia for rinsing your mouth. When treating skin diseases, it is better to give preference to safer antiseptics - Chlorhexidine, Miramistin.

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Further anti-burn treatment

For home treatment of ammonia lesions, anti-burn ointments such as Panthenol or Olazol are used. These drugs are applied directly to the wound twice or thrice a day.

If the wound is located in an area that can be easily injured, then a sterile bandage is applied over the ointment. It is changed every time the wound is treated.

Traditional medicine suggests treating burns at home using:

raw potatoes - grated potatoes are applied to the injury throughout the day, the product reduces pain and has a powerful wound-healing effect;
chicken egg yolk - beat it, then lubricate the affected area;
popular painkillers - Sedalgin, Tempalgin, Paracetamol.

There is a list of actions that should never be performed in case of ammonia burns:

bandage the injured area tightly;
puncture blisters;
lubricate the wound with oil, fat;
touch the wound with bare hands.

Surgical treatment of eye burns and possible complications

If conservative methods are ineffective, surgical treatment of the consequences of the burn is performed. Depending on the complications, a variety of techniques are used.

Surgical treatment for an eye burn may include:

partial removal of areas of necrosis of the conjunctiva or corneal surface;
temporary covering with amniotic membrane;
transplantation of limbal cells or cultured corneal epithelial cells;
removal of the fusion of the conjunctiva of the eyelids with the eyeball (symblepharon).

To speed up rehabilitation, penetrating or partial keratoplasty and keratoprosthesis are used. If a cataract occurs, it is extracted.

Primary complications of a chemical burn include conjunctivitis, corneal erosion, swelling or clouding, acute increase in intraocular pressure, and melting of the cornea. Secondary complications are usually more varied.

Possible consequences of a chemical burn to the eye:

glaucoma;
cataract;
scarring of the conjunctiva;
corneal ulcers;
thinning and tearing of the cornea;
destruction of the corneal surface;
opacification and vascularization;
subatrophy of the eye.

The main measure to prevent burns is to follow safety precautions when working with household chemicals and in production where chemicals are used. It is important to exercise caution and wear safety glasses.

Description of injury

A chemical burn is an injury to the eye caused by exposure to aggressive chemicals. First of all, there is damage to the conjunctiva - a thin connective membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye and the back surface of the eyelid. It performs an important function because it releases a special liquid that lubricates the eye and prevents it from drying out. Its damage often leads to impairment and even loss of vision.

Damaging substances

Acids. Most often, burns occur with the following acids:

hydrochloric acid (HCl);
sulfuric (H2SO4);
acetic (HC, COOH);
hydrofluoric(HF).

An acid burn is similar to a thermal burn. It affects the conjunctiva and cornea without spreading into the eyeball. The degree of damage is influenced by the concentration of acids and the duration of their exposure. At the site of acid entry, a necrotic area appears, which is separated from healthy tissue (coagulation). In this case, a very strong pain syndrome appears, since the optic nerves are irritated.

Alkali. The most common alkalis that cause burns are:

ammonia (ammonium hydroxide);
caustic soda (sodium hydroxide);
magnesium hydroxide;
potassium hydroxide;
slaked lime (calcium hydroxide).

Burns from alkaline substances are considered more dangerous because the damage extends deep into the eye, from where it is not easy to remove. At the same time, the time of negative impact increases.

This occurs due to the fact that alkali provokes liquefaction necrosis in the proteins, which leads to their melting (myomalacia) and spreading throughout the eye. In this case, the optic nerves are damaged by alkali, which leads to their loss of sensitivity. That is why a person with alkaline burns practically does not feel pain. This often leads to underestimation of damage.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with a wen above the eye, which doctor should you see?

According to statistics, about 10% of damage to the visual organ is caused by chemicals. Most often, local damage occurs upon contact with acid and alkali. The degree of severity directly depends on the number of aggressive agents that have reached the mucous membrane and on the duration of the dangerous influence.

Acid

An acid burn is similar to a thermal injury. It injures the cornea and creates coagulative necrosis. A film of dead tissue prevents the substance from penetrating deep into the eyeball. The following acids pose a serious danger:

vinegar, salt;
chlorine, nitrogen;
sulfuric, hydrogen fluoride.

Under the influence of acids, nerve endings are irritated, so a person feels acute pain.

Alkali

Alkali burns pose a serious threat. The substance tends to penetrate deep into the eye and continue its destructive effect for a long time. If the chemical is not removed immediately, the burn will worsen and may cause blindness. Large-scale damage is caused by concentrated hot alkaline solutions. Common substances that can burn the eye:

caustic soda;
caustic potassium;
slaked and quicklime;
ammonium hydroxide;
ammonia;
Magnesium hydroxide.

Causes of injuries caused by ammonia solution

The most common cause of burns is contact of undiluted ammonia with the epidermis and mucous membranes. Some adherents of alternative medicine try to use this drug orally, after which they experience damage to the esophagus and stomach.

Remember that ammonia is an extremely toxic and strictly local solution (can only be used externally).

Ammonia contains caustic alkaline substances and alcohol. Alcohol corrodes the skin, and alkalis have a strong cauterizing effect.

Chemical injuries are dangerous because the harmful substance penetrates deeply into the skin, begins to affect it faster and is difficult to remove from it.

The victim of the above-described alcohol solution must be provided with first emergency aid in a timely manner. How to do this is described below in the article.

And now I propose to study the main symptoms of ammonia burn.

How does it manifest?

The severity of a chemical burn depends on many factors. Among them are:

type of chemical (acid, alkali, etc.);
the amount of substance that has reached the surface of the eyes;
concentration of the chemical (the more diluted it is, the less harm the burn will cause);
temperature of the substance (the higher it is, the more complex the consequences);
duration of exposure to the eyes.

The favorable outcome of treatment is also influenced by the patient’s age (the younger the person, the faster the recovery), as well as how timely and high-quality first aid was provided.

The first is considered the mildest degree of burn. Its main features:

sudden onset of pain;
cloudiness in the eyes (vision problems);
the appearance of red blood vessels in the whites of the eyes (hyperemia);
conjunctival edema (chemosis);
cloudiness of the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Second degree. This condition can still be treated without serious consequences. It is considered to be of moderate severity, since more severe phenomena are added to the above symptoms:

the pain becomes constant (pain syndrome), but with an alkaline lesion it subsides;
vision is significantly weakened;
blisters and red blood vessels appear on the skin of the eyelids;
erosion (destruction) of the conjunctiva and the epithelial ball of the cornea is observed, as a result of which their detachment occurs.

Third degree damage. This is a serious condition that is accompanied by necrosis, chemosis (swelling) and blanching of the skin of the eyelids and conjunctiva. Often such a burn to the cornea of the eye leads to its permanent clouding (it becomes dull).
The fourth degree is very severe. It is often accompanied by complete or partial loss of vision.

Most often, grade 3 and 4 lesions do not go away without complications. The most unpleasant of them are the formation of ulcers and scars on the skin of the eyelids, the connective membrane and the cornea (cataract), fusion of the conjunctivae of the eyelids and eyes, inflammatory processes, and increased intraocular pressure. All this can lead to a decrease in visual acuity, and sometimes to its complete loss.

Symptoms of damage by various substances

The main signs of a chemical burn of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye are:

burning;
lacrimation;
redness of the mucous membrane;
swelling;
blurred vision.

When exposed to acids, the color of the conjunctiva changes. Chromium provokes the appearance of a brown tint, nitrogen - yellow. A substance in the eye promotes excessive tear production. It becomes difficult to open the eyelids, they hurt, vision becomes blurred, and a feeling of a foreign body appears.

Characteristic symptoms of an alkaline burn are photophobia, swelling and redness of the mucous membrane. The chemicals destroy nerve fibers, so the victim rarely feels severe pain. Sometimes this causes a person to underestimate the injury.

Acid and alkali burn the skin around the eyes. It becomes inflamed, red, and blisters form.

Healing procedures

For a chemical burn to the eye, first aid involves a set of certain actions. It must be provided on an emergency basis. It’s good if there is a person nearby with a medical education or basic knowledge in this area. But even an ordinary person can help.

First aid

First, it is urgent to rinse the affected eye (no later than 30 minutes after contact with the chemical). To do this, use a physiological solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (table salt) or a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). They have antiseptic properties.

If nothing is available, rinse the eyes with plain water from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner to avoid chemicals getting into the healthy eye. If there are solid particles of the chemical (lime) in the eye, they should be removed with a dry cotton swab before rinsing.

When it is known exactly what substance caused the burns, it can be neutralized. In case of an alkaline burn, the eyes should be rinsed with water and vinegar or 2% boric acid. A few drops per 500 ml of water is enough. If the burn is caused by acid, you need to treat your eyes with a weak soda solution.

To avoid infection, antiseptic eye drops are dripped into the eye. A solution of furatsilin or sodium sulfacil is suitable for this purpose.

It depends on the severity of damage to the eyeball and the presence of concomitant conditions (inflammation, pain shock and others).

Emergency care and therapy

What to do if your eyes are burned with alcohol? Everyone needs to know the first aid recommendations, since in such a situation there is no time to find a solution. Before treatment begins, the patient should be treated on site. It involves the immediate removal of the irritating substance that comes into contact with the eyes. It must be removed despite the spasm and acute pain that occurs in the first few hours.

You should begin treating your eyes with copious amounts of rinsing. This can be done with water or a solution of potassium permanganate. Before arriving at a medical facility, it is allowed to use an anesthetic drug.