How to Reduce Burns After Silver Nitrate

There are many ways in which you can get burned such as by over exposure to heat, fire, boiling water and even when the skin comes in contact with harsh chemicals. Burns have three classifications: first, second and third degree. First degree burns are the least serious and third degree burns are the most serious. If your skin has come in contact with a harmful chemical such as silver nitrate, it is important to treat the burn immediately to prevent it from becoming worse.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Disinfectant soap
• Antibacterial cream
• Gauze
• Bandage

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove any clothing that may have come in contact with the silver nitrate. If your clothes are left on, the nitrate could seep through the clothing and worsen the burn on your skin.

• 2

  Immediately run the burn under a stream of cold, clean water for at least 15 minutes. Running the affected area under water will ensure that all of the chemical has washed off and it will not continue to irritate the skin.

• 3

  Seek medical attention if you have received a burn from liquid nitrate that is larger than 2 or 3 inches, or that is on your face or other sensitive area of the body. You should also seek medical attention right away if you have received a third degree burn. Third degree burns damage all layers of the skin and without medical attention they will take a long time to heal.

• 4

  Wash the area with soap that contains disinfectant to prevent the nitrate from staying on the skin. The soap will ensure that all the nitrate is removed and does not continue to burn the skin.

• 5

  Cover the burned area with an antibacterial cream that will keep it clean and help heal the burn faster. Apply a layer of gauze and a bandage on top of the burn to keep the area clean.