How should you treat acid burns ?

The most important thing you can do in the event of an acid attack is to douse the victim in running water,rather than use a wet cloth.

The water dilutes the acid,and so it's important to keep refreshing with new,clean water,as quickly as possible.

New NHS England guidance Report,Remove,Rinse instructs anyone who comes across a victim how to help.

Dr Adrian Boyle,a spokesman for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine,said it is important people rushing to help victims of acid attacks do not become secondary victims themselves.

If possible,loosely wrap the burn area in sterilised gauze,which helps prevent the wound from contamination.

After hospital treatment,patients are advised to stick to a strict aftercare regime - which includes changing dressings on a regular basis.

In serious cases,doctors may prescribe physiotherapy for victims whose nervous system has been affected by the burn.

Others will be offered skin grafts to help reduce symptons and cosmetic signs of the attack.

As acid assaults are traumatic,patients may also be advised to seek counselling.

What should you NOT do in the event of an acid attack?

Yoy may think milk could act as a soothing remedy,in the event of an acid burn,but experts advise it's a bad idea.

Milk is generally alkaline,though as it goes off it becomes more acidic.

When alkaline milk comes into contact with acid it bwill cause an exothermic reaction,which creates more heat and can do more damage.

Plus,milk,could increase the risk of infection.

So,ALWAYS,always stick to running water - and lots of it. 

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