Acid on the skin is never a good experience; the pain level ranges from mild to excruciating. When handling acidic solutions, care is of the essence to prevent health hazards. What happens in a situation where you aren’t in direct contact with acid but risk skin damage by one?
Batteries contain different components; one of them is an acid. Battery acid causes a more severe effect on the skin than regular ones – chemical or caustic burns. It isn’t a pain you ever wish to deal with anymore for anyone who has experienced one before. However, knowing how to treat battery acid on the skin is consequential against when it does happen.
While there are several types of batteries, it is important to describe the acids in them to know what to do when you encounter any.
What are the Different Battery Acid Types?
Ideally, there are three types of batteries, and they include;
Many household items contain batteries that power them. The type of battery in them is not so concentrated, as they exist as alkaline “acids.” A typical example of alkaline-acid is Iye – Potassium hydroxide. Regardless of how less-concentrated it is, it still causes caustic burns on contact with the skin.
The next dangerous type of battery acids is those in Car Batteries. They are more concentrated and severe than other types. Car Batteries, also called Lead-Acid Batteries, contain Sulfuric acid as the electrolyte for performance. When this acid comes in direct contact with the skin, immediate medical intervention is needed because the effects are dangerous – it causes burns and eye damage.
Read something about battery corrosion here.
Another dangerous acid is those in Lithium-Ion Batteries. Many mobile phones, devices, such as flashlights, etc., use this type of battery. The exposure of the acid on the skin could cause injuries. Furthermore, poor disposal of this battery could cause fire hazards due to its content.
What are the Effects of Battery Acid on Skin?
As foretold, when battery acid comes in contact with the skin, there are symptoms and complications. However, these complications vary from one battery acid to another. Apart from the skin, other body parts that could be affected include the eye and respiratory system. Check out the following complications a battery acid could cause.
Skin irritation is a common thing when the skin gets exposed to battery acid. For alkaline battery acid, Contact Dermatitis is a thing. It causes redness on the affected part, putting you in temporary discomfort.
Some battery acids have acid fumes that are not great for the eyes. These fumes could cause eye damage and other conditions such as inflammation, redness, and teary eyes. Car Batteries, for example, have Sulfuric acids that could trigger this condition when exposed. If care is not taken, it could cause blindness.
Perhaps battery acid was consumed, it could cause serious digestive damage, marked by excruciating pain. If that happens, the only solution is to contact medical help immediately. Every minute the acid spends inside the body, it damages certain body organs.
Another significant irritation that could be caused by exposed battery acids is that which involves Respiration. The fumes could enter through the nostrils and cause serious conditions, such as breathing difficulties, chest tightness, dizziness, fainting, and nausea. Likewise, it could cause headaches, muscle spasms or seizures, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, and low blood pressure.
The most common complication with battery acids on the skin is Chemical Burns. It is such a painful experience because it causes skin irritation, redness, blisters, and blackened skin. Chemical Burns is a little tricky because they may not show up until minutes or hours later.
What are the Ways to Treat Different Battery Acids on the Skin?
The approach you take in treating battery acid on the skin differs from one acid to another. Below are descriptions of ways to treat according to different battery acids.
- Alkaline Battery Acids
Follow the step-by-step guide to treat alkaline battery acids effectively.
Get all Clothing and Jewelry Off
The first thing you need to do when affected by alkaline battery acids is not to panic; instead, assess the situation and do what is right. By what is right, it means taking off clothes or jewelry from the affected area. While you are doing that, make sure you don’t touch the spot and wear a pair of gloves for safety.
Rinse the Affected Skin
When everything is out of the way, find clean water immediately and rinse the area. Do that for at least 20 minutes. Ensure water moves gently over the affected skin area so that there won’t be complications. Try not also to rub or wipe the area.
Monitor and Dress the Wound
After 20 to 30 minutes of rinsing the area, the burning sensation should have reduced; however, contacting medical help is ideal if it doesn’t. Under close supervision, the wound would be dressed, and necessary medications like painkillers are given.
- Car Battery Acids
Treating car battery acids is a lot more complex than Household batteries. First, you should discard the idea of using plain, clean water to treat the affected area because it only gets worse. Next, make a warm, soapy water solution and rinse the surface. Likewise, try not to touch the area while you wash off for about 20 to 30 minutes. It could sting for a little while, but it works.
- Lithium-Ion Acids
Lithium-Ion Acids are known to cause skin injuries due to high heat intensity. Sometimes, it could be toxic gas or smoke emissions. The only proper treatment is one arranged by medical experts.
Do you think you have found answers on how to treat battery acid on skin? Certainly! This article is indeed descriptive enough to help understand the approaches to take in different skin burn cases caused by acid.