DIPHOTERINE® – Prismia

First Aid Solution for Chemical Splashes to the Skin and Eyes

Chemical Burn

A chemical burn is initiated by the contact between a corrosive chemical such as a strong acid or alkali and the skin or the eye. Following this contact, a part of the aggressive substance will penetrate into the living tissue and cause destruction of the cells resulting in extensive tissue damage, often completely irreversible. These chemical burns can often lead to terrible cheloid scarring, loss of eyesight or in severe cases loss of limbs and/or life. To effectively decontaminate a splash by a corrosive substance, it will be necessary not only to decontaminate the product on the surface, but also to control its penetration into the tissue.

Water

Traditionally, splashes by corrosive chemicals are treated with water – and lots of it. However, water only acts as a dilutant, making the irritant weaker, but not eliminating the threat. Aggressive acids and bases have been shown to continue to penetrate and burn living tissue, even after immediate dosing with water, as it is passive and incapable of stopping the corrosive chemical process. It is also hypotonic, meaning it causes the water to flow into the tissue by osmosis thus transferring the chemical deeper into the body causing more damage to deeper tissue. In order for water to be even partially effective, it typically requires the victim to be constantly blasted with cold water for up to 20 minutes, which among other effects not only prevents immediate evacuation of the victim to a nearby hospital, but may in cold conditions cause hypothermia and requires an easily accessible potable water supply. Often, despite rinsing for the prescribed time with water, victims often still face the same dangers had they not been treated: terrible cheloid scarring, loss of eyesight or in severe cases loss of limbs.

The Critical Safe Zone

It is not necessary to have a pH of 7.0 to stop tissue burning. There is a safe zone known as the physiological pH which is above 5.5 on the acid scale and below 9.0 on the base scale. Anywhere between 5.5 and 9.0, tissue stops burning so it is critical to get the splash site into this zone as quickly as possible following a dangerous chemical splash to the eyes or skin to avoid a chemical burn and alleviate the need for secondary care.

DIPHOTERINE® Solution

DIPHOTERINE® Solution stops penetration almost immediately, as it attaches to the aggressive chemical and renders it harmless. As a result, pain is also relieved instantly. As DIPHOTERINE® Solution is hypertonic, it causes the liquid to flow outwards from the tissue by osmosis. This then helps decontaminate the splash site very quickly and helps get the body into its pH Safe Zone. DIPHOTERINE® Solutions has contributed to several success stories globally on effectively treating splashes from corrosive and irritant chemicals. Find out more about this solution and corresponding case studies here.

DIPHOTERINE® Solution comes in various formats for easy treatment: ergonomic eyewash bottles, handy sprays and portable showers for full body splashes. This means easy placement of the correct dose for any splash risk on your site.