Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 I accompanied the young man to the hospital yesterday so they could redress the injuries...I was appalled when they removed the bandages. We are talking MAJOR lye burns here. Mainly around the backside of the foot around the Achilles tendon area, where the cement pooled in his shoes. Apparently this happened over a couple of days, and the young man didn't realize the extent of the damage. When they took the gauze bandages off, there was a lot of burn cream that had to be removed, as well as the injuries needed to be debrided (old skin and scabs removed). This was extremely painful. The area on both feet (right side is much better than left foot) is literally eaten away by the lye, and is almost down to the muscles of the foot. I was told that vinegar will neutralize lye. In future, this young man will have a gallon of vinegar with him when he does cement work and will wash down with vinegar, then soap and water, each day at least! Probably twice a day. He has to go back to hospital tomorrow for another redressing. I absolutely will not put any oils on such raw injuries. I will wait until they are healed, then give the young man aloe and lavender in large quantities. Thanks for all the help! Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 At 07:04 PM 6/11/2005, you wrote: >I was told that vinegar will neutralize lye. In future, this young man >will have a gallon of vinegar with him when he does cement work and will >wash down with vinegar, then soap and water, each day at least! Probably >twice a day. make that DILUTED vinegar. all the Lye msds sheets say wash with WATER, not with an acid. Celebrating 10 years online. Supplying pure Essential Oils, Aromatherapy Accessories, Information and more! Visit us at: <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 i know yest I was pkging 50 lbs of lye, and got it on my arms, (note taken, wear long sleeves) duh, so I wet my arms down, then poured the vinegar on them, but I didn't wash with soap. I applied some lotion as was very surprised, they didn't burn, they looked pretty bad for a couple of hours but today they seem fine. Even when I make soap i get burned worse than this. Prolly cause i always get a little on my skin and don't bother to wash till I'm done~ (bad soaper, bad soaper) Sindy - Re: About those Lye burns... >wash down with vinegar, then soap and water, each day at least! make that DILUTED vinegar. all the Lye msds sheets say wash with WATER, not with an acid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 I haven't seen this addressed in this thread, but I have never heard of there being *lye* in cement-type mixes. I believe its LIME that is causing his problems. Lime is part of the grout mix and most / all other types of cement mixes. Here's an extract from the Concrete handbook for artists: http://www.makersgallery.com/concrete/bk_cement.pdf Skin contact: Avoid all skin contact. Cement is caustic like lye (alkaline, pH 12 to 13) when mixed with water and not cured. Wet Portland cement will not only cause skin irritation, it can also cause irreversible tissue damage, including third-degree burns. Don't rely on pain or discomfort as an indicator at the time; several hours later the damage may become apparent. Ivy - Marge Clark Sunday, June 12, 2005 7:14 AM Re: About those Lye burns... At 07:04 PM 6/11/2005, you wrote: >I was told that vinegar will neutralize lye. In future, this young man >will have a gallon of vinegar with him when he does cement work and will >wash down with vinegar, then soap and water, each day at least! Probably >twice a day. make that DILUTED vinegar. all the Lye msds sheets say wash with WATER, not with an acid. Celebrating 10 years online. Supplying pure Essential Oils, Aromatherapy Accessories, Information and more! Visit us at: <http://www.naturesgift.com> Step By Step Instructions On Making Rose Petal Preserves: http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following link: /join Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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