Water is first aid for acid attack

Associate Professor of Burns and Plastic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Idowu Fadeyibi, says acid is the commonest cause of chemical burns in Nigeria.
I’m sure you have treated a lot of acid bath victims. How common are such cases?
We have been having at least 12 admitted acid attack patients every year in the last three years. Sometimes some are not admitted.
Do you ever wonder why it is easy to get acid?
Well, that’s because it’s purchase is not regulated in our society. It is fairly easy for anybody to procure acid and use it for whatever reason. Anybody can go to a battery charger and purchase it without any question about what the person wants to use it for.
In developed nations, chemical burns usually result from accidents but here it is usually as a result of assault.

What is the chemical composition of acid and why is it so lethal?
Acid is diluted sulfuric acid used in a battery. The battery acid is usually the one used in most attacks. The destruction it inflicts on the flesh of victims is because when you combine acid with fats, it reacts.
When acid is poured on someone, there is a chemical reaction that creates heat. It is the heat generated that destroys the skin of the victim. It continues to eat the skin away as long as the chemical reaction continues. This is why it is terrible.
What would you suggest as first aid?
The first aid for acid attack is to continue to pour water on the area for as long as possible. Water dilutes the acid and continues to dilute it until it becomes ineffective.
How expensive is acid burn treatment?
The extent of the treatment of acid burns depends on the ability to afford the treatment which is very expensive.
Let me put it in perspective. Acid burn treatment can be more expensive than kidney or heart transplant. I have actually undertaken comparative  studies of burn treatment cost in many countries. For example, in Belgium, the care of the burns requires 5,000 Euros per day.
There is no cutting corners in burns treatment. In Nigeria, it requires between N3m and N5m from the start of the treatment onwards. For instance, there are some dressing materials that cost about N340,000 per pack.
Most times those who undergo care here may not be able to afford the highly expensive synthetic food we give them. We advise them to take at least six eggs everyday apart from fish, meat and other nutritious food they need to eat everyday.
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