Act swiftly to avoid life-changing injuries

WITH the number of horrific acid attacks soaring, doctors have stressed that quick treatment is vital to avoid catastrophic life-changing injuries.

Health officials say the crucial thing to do is douse the victim in running water, rather than 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. But people rushing to help someone else must not “try to brush it off” otherwise they will also get burnt.

If the substance is in powder form just brush it off, using a piece of clothing to protect your skin.

And it is not just acidic liquids that are used in attacks – very alkaline substances can be used too.

Alkaline powders that get wet can suddenly start to react.

Campaign group Stop Acid Attacks advises people follow these guidelines, in the event they are victim of, or witness an acid attack:

Immediately rinse the affected area with fresh water or saline (saltwater) solution – always make sure this source is uncontaminated.

Keep washing the burned body part with cool water until the pain begins to subside. This can take around 45 minutes.

Take off any clothes/jewellery that have made contact with the acid.

As tempting as it is to add cream to give some relief, this could affect the treatment prescribed by doctors.

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 symptoms and cosmetic signs of the attack.