Chemical burns are caused by which agents?

• A. Ultraviolet Light
• B. Acids or Alkalis
• C. Heat Only
• D. Cold Exposure

Answer: (B)

Chemical burns occur when a chemical agent damages tissue through a reactive process. The agents most likely to cause chemical burns are acids or alkalis. Acids damage tissue mainly by protonating proteins and causing coagulative necrosis, which can limit how deeply the injury goes. Alkalis cause liquefactive necrosis by saponifying fats and breaking down proteins, allowing the chemical to penetrate more deeply and often producing more severe injury. Ultraviolet light causes radiation burns, heat causes thermal burns, and cold exposure causes frostbite, none of which are chemical burns.