Treating Cold-Contact Burns

Hazards of Chemicals and Gases DOE-HDBK-1015/2-93 COMPRESSED GASES Rev. 0 CH-05 Page 23 Treating Cold-Contact Burns Workers will rarely come in contact with a cryogenic liquid if proper handling procedures are used. In the unlikely event of contact with a liquid or cold gas, a cold-contact "burn" may occur. Actually, the skin or tissue freezes. Medical assistance should be obtained as soon as possible. In the interim, the emergency measures presented in Table 2 are recommended. TABLE 2 Emergency Measures for Treating Cold-Contact Burns Remove any clothing that may restrict circulation to the frozen area. Do not rub frozen parts, as tissue damage may result. As soon as practical, immerse the effected part in warm water (not less than 105 F or more than 115 F, or 40 C to 46 C). Never use dry heat. The victim should be in a warm room, if possible. If the exposure has been massive and the general body temperature is depressed, the patient should be totally immersed in a warm-water bath. Treatment for shock should be provided. Frozen tissues are painless and appear waxy and yellow. They will swell and be painful and prone to infection when thawed. Do not rewarm rapidly. Thawing may require 15 to 60 minutes and should continue until the pale blue tint of the skin turns pink or red. Morphine or tranquilizers may be required to control the pain during thawing and should be administered under professional medical supervision. If the frozen part of the body thaws before the doctor arrives, cover the area with dry sterile dressings and a large, bulky protective covering. Alcoholic beverages and smoking decrease blood flow to the frozen tissues and should be prohibited. Warm drinks and food may be administered. Some liquified gases require special precautions. For example, when liquid oxygen is handled, all combustible materials, especially oil or gases, should be kept away. Smoking or open flames should never be permitted where liquid oxygen is stored or handled. NO SMOKING signs should be posted conspicuously in such areas.