What to do in an acid attack – the urgent steps you need to take | UK News

Following an attack with a ‘corrosive substance’ in Croydon last night, this is what you should do if you are victim of or witness to a suspected acid attack.

Nine people were injured after a number of witnesses ran to the victims of the attack in London on Wednesday evening, pouring water over their faces to try and wash away the chemical.

Police officers and bystanders were among those injured and this morning the street was soaking wet after being doused in water to presumably wash the substance away.

But what can you do to help people who have been victim of such an attack, while also minimising the risk to yourself?

What to do in an acid attack

If someone has been sprayed with an unknown substance it’s recommended you call 999 to report the attack, remove contaminated clothing carefully, and rinse the skin immediately in running water.

You should try to remove as much contaminated clothing as possible, using gloves or other protective materials to protect your own hands – and if possible you should cut away clothes like t-shirts rather than pulling them over the victim’s head.

It’s important not to wipe the skin as it may spread the substance further, and to try not to spread the contaminant further.

How to treat acid burns

A chemical burn can continue to cause damage for hours after the substance makes contact with the skin.

To treat this, the affected area should be rinsed with clean water for at least 20 minutes.

You should prioritise rinsing the eyes, face, and airways first before turning to other areas of the body.

Don’t allow the victim to touch their eyes, in case they still have acid on their hands, and don’t try to forcibly remove contact lenses.

One bottle of water is not enough – ideally you would need to use a tap, hosepipe or shower to completely douse the victim.

And you should only use water to rinse the affected area – don’t wipe or rub the skin.

Ensure you have called 999 as soon as possible, so paramedics can take the victim to hospital as soon as possible.

How to treat acid burns without becoming contaminated yourself

Even if you’ve got the best intentions, it’s possible to become injured while helping someone else with chemical burns if you’re not careful.

Here are some ways to ensure you don’t become a secondary casualty:

• Don’t pull clothing that has stuck to the skin
• Wear gloves or other protective clothing
• Avoid the urge to brush the chemical off with your hands
• If the substance is in powder form, use a piece of clothing or similar to brush it away and protect your skin

What kind of treatment would I get for acid burns in hospital?

After arriving in hospital, treatment would include:

• Continuing to wash off the corrosive substance with water until it’s completely removed
• Cleaning the burn and covering it with an appropriate dressing
• Pain relief
• A tetanus jab if necessary

Minor burns will need to have their dressings checked and changed regularly to avoid infection.

However more severe burns would see the victim referred to a specialist unit, which could result in a skin graft.

How can I get support if I’ve seen or been victim of an acid attack?

• Changing Faces provides support for people whose condition or injury affects their appearance
• Victim Support provides help and advice to victims and witnesses of crimes
• Katie Piper Foundation provides specific help for victims and families of acid attacks and other burns

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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