title: Cutaneous chemical burns: assessment and early management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemical burns are common and may cause significant physical, psychological, social and economic burden. Despite a wide variety of potentially harmful chemicals, important general principals may be drawn in the assessment and initial management of such injuries. Early treatment of chemical burns is crucial and may reduce the period of resulting morbidity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the assessment and management of cutaneous chemical burns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment of the patient should be rapid and occur in conjunction with early emergency management. Rapid history and pri-mary and secondary survey may be required to exclude systemic side effects of the injury. Depth of wound assessment is difficult given that necrosis caused by various chemicals can continue despite cessation of exposure. Early management should be conducted with consideration of clinician's safety, and appropriate precautions should be taken. Excluding specific situations and chemical exposure, copious irrigation with water remains the mainstay of early management. Referral to a centre of higher acuity may be required for expert evaluation.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, BMedSci, Principal House Officer, Gold Coast University Hospital, Queensland Health, QLD.
authors.forename: Neiraja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gnaneswaran
authors.forename: Eshini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: Marlon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawhney
mesh_terms: D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors