Chemical Exposure to the Skin

Home care

• You can put a cool compress on the area 3 to 4 times a day. You can make a cool compress by using a towel soaked in cool water. This will help reduce pain and swelling.

• If a dressing was applied, change it every 24 hours, or as directed, and watch for the warning signs listed below.

• You may use over-the-counter medicine to control pain unless another pain medicine was prescribed. These include acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen. If you have liver disease or have ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your health care provider before using these pain medicines. Also talk with your provider if you are taking blood-thinning medicines.

• Try not to pick, scratch, or rub at your injury. This may make the injury worse or cause an infection.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider as advised.

When to get medical advice

Contact your health care provider right away if you have:

• Increased swelling or pain.

• Severe blistering.

• Increasing redness.

• Fluid drainage from the skin.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Trouble breathing or swallowing.

• Extreme drowsiness or trouble waking up.

• Severe confusion.

• Seizures.

• Fainting.