Muriatic Acid burns.

[bill109]

hello everyone.
i burnt up my thumb with this acid stuff in the title.
has anyone had any experience with any type of burns like that?
itsn ot very big but it wont let me use my thumb because it hurts really bad. it happend about 48 hours ago and it looks like its scabbing up.
what should i do?
see the doc? watch and wait? ... is there something at the store to buy?

 

[nw2salt08]

What was the percentage with the muriatic acid that you burned your thumb with? I used to use this quite often in the pool business and being burnt by it, I washed the area very well, kept it clean and put antibiotic ointment on it. For future reference, if you ever spill it on yourself again wash it immediately! This will keep it from burning. If you're using it for pool purposes to lower pH just wash it with pool water then go directly to the closest water source (i.e. hose or sink) and wash it thoroughly.

 

[geridoc]

I agree with NW2. When he says to wash thoroughly, that means at least 15 minutes in running water. My lab experience is that acids continue to attack tissue for some time, and it is imperative that the area be extensively rinsed.

 

[renogaw]

you need to soak it in baking soda/water mix to help neutralize the acid. that's what we use when we flush out tankless coils.

 

[bill109]

im not sure what percentage. it was this stuff called,
on and off hull cleaner. it is for boats. i work at a marina and we started to wash boats again and i use it on a daily basis.
i didnt know it was acid, it was in one of those pump sprayers and the top push trigger was off and iwas just pushing the button and it burnt a round hole.
what should i do now? its to late to rinse, and all i can think of it to just keep it covered and let it heal.?
thanks again

 

[renogaw]

problem with muriatic acid, is it stays there and can continue doing damage. soak your hand in a mixture of arm and hammer baking powder and water to neutralize anything that may still be there, and since this IS a work related issue, go to the dr's and get it checked out. your work has to have workers comp insurance to cover this.

 

[valgae]

well if your using it at work it shouls have a msds sheet. it's prob too late since your already at home, but incase you ever need it for somethingelse.

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3155268
problem with muriatic acid, is it stays there and can continue doing damage. soak your hand in a mixture of arm and hammer baking powder and water to neutralize anything that may still be there, and since this IS a work related issue, go to the dr's and get it checked out. your work has to have workers comp insurance to cover this.
hmm.. soak it even though this will be day 3..?
btw, hey reno. hows friday night work for you? or the weekend. ygpm...

 

[nw2salt08]

Yes...soak it. Like Geri said...it's an acid and will continue to do damage. Make sure to soak it well, then dry it and apply antibiotic ointment and bandage.
At this point it really doesn't matter what percentage it was....just make sure to take care of the wound. If it looks really inflamed and feels feverish to the touch then it's infected. You may need to go see a physician if this is the case. But next time wash the muriatic acid off immediately!
Btw...I'm a woman. lol

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by VALgae
http:///forum/post/3155669
well if your using it at work it shouls have a msds sheet. it's prob too late since your already at home, but incase you ever need it for somethingelse.
heh, who even looks at msds sheets?
Bill, tonights ok or tomorrow, up to you

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3155854
heh, who even looks at msds sheets?

We must have about 100 MSDS sheets for the various chemicals that are in use at my place. Dont think anyone here has ever looked at them.

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3155874
We must have about 100 MSDS sheets for the various chemicals that are in use at my place. Dont think anyone here has ever looked at them.
we actually have a msds for copper tubing...

 

[prk543]

The MSDS for Muriatic Acid is below:
http://hazard.com/msds/f2/btb/btbjb.html
By OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations your place of work should have an MSDS on site and in an accessible location for all chemicals that can be encountered at your workplace.
The first aid section:
====================== First Aid Measures =======================
First Aid:EYES: FLUSH W/PLENTY OF WATER FOR AT LEAST 30 MINS. SKIN:
FLUSH W/PLENTY OF WATER. INHALATION: REMOVE TO FRESH. IF BREATHING
STOPS, GIVE ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. INGESTION: DON'T INDUCE
VOMITING. IF CO NSCIOUS, GIVE PLENTY OF WATER. IF UNCONSCIOUS,
DON'T GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH. OBTAIN MEDICAL ATTENTION IN ALL
CASES.
You should also let your boss know about your burn because it may be necessary to record that information.
The MSDS also contains proper clothing (aka personal protective equipment) that should be worn when handling muratic acid.
I hope that information is helpful. Please be more careful in the future and you should probably get checked out by a doctor.

 

[oscardeuce]

Originally Posted by GeriDoc
http:///forum/post/3155205
I agree with NW2. When he says to wash thoroughly, that means at least 15 minutes in running water. My lab experience is that acids continue to attack tissue for some time, and it is imperative that the area be extensively rinsed.
Acids tend to cauterize the tissue and penetration tends to be less. Bases saponify and break down tissue proteins and fats to burn more deeply. There are a few acids with specific antidotess (HF).
Wash with copious water for 20+ minutes and seek medical treatment especially for eye exposure
Never neutralize, always DILUTE!
"The solution to pollution is dilution.".

 

[nw2salt08]

Yep! That's what they told us in Chemistry when I was in high school and also learned from working at the pool shop to rinse thoroughly and immediately. We handled acids for pool chemicals and testing chemicals.

 

[bill109]

wll the scab fell off today, it was nasty. there is now a hole in my thumb. its not an open cut, but its def. sore..

 

[nw2salt08]

As long as the new skin looks healthy and not inflamed then it'll be fine. It may take a little time for the soreness and tenderness to go away. Glad to hear it is no longer an open wound. Hopefully it'll be feeling 100% soon!

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by Nw2Salt08
http:///forum/post/3158026
As long as the new skin looks healthy and not inflamed then it'll be fine. It may take a little time for the soreness and tenderness to go away. Glad to hear it is no longer an open wound. Hopefully it'll be feeling 100% soon!

if it was infected, would it be a red/pink? or would it be a nasty purple? it looks like a pink of new skin but since there is no scab and new tissue is forming, it is feeling so much better. i can finallly play xbox again..

 

[nw2salt08]

Originally Posted by bill109
http:///forum/post/3158042
if it was infected, would it be a red/pink? or would it be a nasty purple? it looks like a pink of new skin but since there is no scab and new tissue is forming, it is feeling so much better. i can finallly play xbox again..

It would be reddish and feverish around the wound. It would look like a red ring around the wound area. Purple wouldn't be a good color either. If it's pink and same temp as the rest of the normal skin around it then I would say that it's doing just fine. And congrats on getting to play xbox again. lol

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by Nw2Salt08
http:///forum/post/3158055
It would be reddish and feverish around the wound. It would look like a red ring around the wound area. Purple wouldn't be a good color either. If it's pink and same temp as the rest of the normal skin around it then I would say that it's doing just fine. And congrats on getting to play xbox again. lol
haha yeah, ill have to check on it again tomorrow.
and x box is always good.