How to Treat a Cement Burn

Cement burns are a common work-related injury suffered by construction workers and others who routinely work with wet cement. News outlet B4tea explains that when wet cement comes into contact with bare skin, its caustic chemicals cause a chemical burn characterized by scaling, itching, painful lesions and fissures in the skin. When untreated, these fissures, or cracks, in your skin can result in bacterial infections. Cement burns do not appear until a day or two after wet cement touches your body. To mitigate skin damage, treat your burns immediately after contact and before symptoms appear.

Instructions

• 1

  Take off all layers of clothing that you wore at the time of contact. Remove your shoes even if you do not see wet cement on them. Wash these garments with hot water and clothing detergent before using them again; discard shoes and other accessories that cannot be washed.

• 2

  Prepare a lukewarm bath mixed with about one cup of white or cider vinegar. Submerge the exposed skin in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes. B4tea says that this procedure neutralizes the chemicals on your skin and lessens the damage caused by cement burns.

• 3

  Flush exposed skin with warm running water for 20 to 25 minutes. If your eyes suffered exposure, flush with water for 30 minutes. Use an eye-wash machine for this if possible; if not, your shower will work.

• 4

  Observe your condition carefully over the next few days. When it worsens, apply aloe gel as needed to soothe the skin and reduce itching. Skin lotions and soaps containing petroleum will prevent the toxic chemicals from leaving your body and will worsen your condition; stick to aloe gel, acidic soaps and even antifungal lotions for relief.

• 5

  Clean the fissures and sores on your skin with an antiseptic solution each day to kill germs and prevent bacterial infection, says B4tea. This is a painful but essential part of the treatment process.

• 6

  Consult a medical doctor for assistance if your condition continues to worsen after the second day. She can explain your medical options to you and proceed with treatment.