Skin burns from wet concrete

[thunderskunk]

Evening…

So, this was my eighth time pouring concrete, I’ve done four for my own projects. I thought nothing of it. Something went wrong and I stupidly crawled into the middle of the pad to screed a stubborn spot.

Wet concrete contains alkaline, which is a base. It burns like acid. I have third degree burns on my hands and knees, and the slab surface is absolute garbage as I wasn’t able to do the finish work/my helpers didn’t really know what they were doing. It wasn’t a big slab either, but I was using 5000 psi ready mix, which is a bit hotter I believe.

I am dumb. Very much so. This could take months to heal, it’s incredibly painful, and the burn clinic only treats these on Thursdays. Having happened on a Friday, I’m in a constant cycle of scrubbing my wounds clean just to stay ready for the surgery, if they can do anything. All because I thought I could crawl in wet concrete for a bit.

So, don’t be dumb like me. Wear muck boots, safety glasses, gloves, have a hose nearby, maybe some leg skates if you’re hand finishing.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Thanks for the warning!

 

[Uncle murph]

Evening…

So, this was my eighth time pouring concrete, I’ve done four for my own projects. I thought nothing of it. Something went wrong and I stupidly crawled into the middle of the pad to screed a stubborn spot.

Wet concrete contains alkaline, which is a base. It burns like acid. I have third degree burns on my hands and knees, and the slab surface is absolute garbage as I wasn’t able to do the finish work/my helpers didn’t really know what they were doing. It wasn’t a big slab either, but I was using 5000 psi ready mix, which is a bit hotter I believe.

I am dumb. Very much so. This could take months to heal, it’s incredibly painful, and the burn clinic only treats these on Thursdays. Having happened on a Friday, I’m in a constant cycle of scrubbing my wounds clean just to stay ready for the surgery, if they can do anything. All because I thought I could crawl in wet concrete for a bit.

So, don’t be dumb like me. Wear muck boots, safety glasses, gloves, have a hose nearby, maybe some leg skates if you’re hand finishing.

Hoping for fast healing,life goes on.The only ones not making any mistakes are the ones doing nothing.

 

[rlitman]

... I was using 5000 psi ready mix, which is a bit hotter I believe...

Years ago I knew someone who had a similar injury. Sorry.
The 5000 psi stuff is even more alkaline that regular concrete, and it takes quite a bit of rinsing to get all the residue off your skin. The worst part is that you don't really feel much of the burn as it's happening.

 

[lund]

Sorry for your problem and thanks for the warning. We all have a tendency to not want to admit mistakes. It is a big service to fess up in these contexts to remind people the reason for the cautions so others do not suffer from similar mistakes. Many do not realize how problematic alkali chemical burns can be. I was told some companies refuse to sell to homeowners since they do not want the potential of irate homeowners trying to sue them over injuries resulting from their lack of understanding.

 

[bluedog225]

I’d go with Vaseline. But I don’t know how bad it is.

 

[gmcgeo]

If any alkaline residue from the concrete is still in your skin, Vaseline can trap it there.

After thorough rinsing and ensuring the area is clean, then apply a soothing ointment (like Aquaphor or aloe vera) if no chemical residue remains.

 

[Dagny]

One of my dads employees had it go over his boots. Just kept working next day hospital for 2 weeks.

 

[niget2002]

I'd be calling other hospitals. I'd rather be riding in a car for a few hours than waiting an entire week.

 

[captain14]

Your location is not of listed but there has to be a regional burn center someplace near you. They are the experts for getting you through this event. All firefighters in my area who are burned are sent to the burn center for evaluation and proper treatment. No matter what type of burn.

This is from WebMD

What Is the Rule of Nines?

The rule of nines is a tool to estimate how much of your body a burn takes up. Learn more about how the rule of nines can help treat burn injuries.

www.webmd.com

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I have seen skin burns from concrete a few times and all I can say is: Seek medical attention ASAP……. Don’t wait because this is serious stuff.

 

[mm08822]

An old mason's rule was to keep your hands dry. It had everything to do with skin protection. There are 2 things working against the skin layer - alkalinity and abrasive media. The skin gets exfoliated by the sand and cement particles all the while being chemically broken by high alkalinity.

A few things I do for masonry work or handling concrete:

• Lather your hands with lotion a few times, let the skin absorb it.
• Once dry, wrap your digits with sport tape, most importantly the tips. Each finger has to be able to move. Use 1/2 - 3/4" tape between each finger joint.
• Put on jersey gloves and wrap each finger over the glove with sports tape. This keeps the glove from getting wet, torn and falling off.
• Once the job is done, peel off all of the tape.
• Wash hands with vinegar and water.
• Rinse with water.
• More lotion.
• Wake up, more lotion.

Sounds extreme but it saves the fingertips most of all. Several times, I wore the skin of each fingertip until it bled and was also burned. It's a long, long, long week after, finding every wound with everything you touch. Lesson learned. Sunburn is more friendly!!!

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Hope you got treatment by now. Get well soon!

And thank you for the reminder!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[thunderskunk]

So…

I got the best case I could out of it.

I did not entirely flush the burns out, even though I sat in the shower for at least an hour with direct contact. When I went to the ER, they still measured PH a bit off, so we rinsed again until it stopped. They didn’t really know what to do, so they made me clean it, bandaged it, and sent me off.

We thought the green stuff collecting in the wounds was skin. It was, but no longer. Went to see a doctor, not my normal one, who just so happened to have spent a year in a burn clinic: the “collagulate” or whatever they called it, is a dead skin/guck of sorts. It forms whenever the wound comes in contact with dirt or water… which around here is air. It is a breeding ground for bacteria, and must be surgically removed as it’s like a guaranteed infection.

The day prior, I could have brushed this stuff off. When I discovered it needed to go, it was full force, like gum stuck in your hair. So, with three more days before I could see the Vermont burn clinic, I spent 5 hours in the shower picking this **** out with tweezers and finger nails… I’m not proud of it; it was my ******* who got into this mess, and it was a risk that I was making things worse, but I could tell it was only going to be harder to remove as time went on. I’m doing the Army thing, and if you’ve seen the news we’ve got some fitness test rule changes and deadlines attached to them. A bit do or die, I can’t be down for six weeks right now.

Got to the burn clinic, and apparently my gamble paid off: no surgery, no skin grafts. All 2nd degree save a bit on my hand that was 3rd. They give you pads with silver, like legit silver. It is best to keep them on and not remove them whatsoever. I should be good to go within 2 weeks, and I’ve been working on stuff just fine with a good dose of over the counter pain killers and a shot of whiskey each night. Not my norm, I swear.

If you burn yourself, don’t DIY surgery. 10/10 I don’t recommend. But, do clean that **** out before it gets a chance to turn ugly, and keep it covered. The actual cream the ER or doctor is going to prescribe is called silver sulfadiazine. You paste it on, bandage over it, and when you replace bandages it should peel off the crud with it.

 

[PCustoms]

So…

I got the best case I could out of it.

I did not entirely flush the burns out, even though I sat in the shower for at least an hour with direct contact. When I went to the ER, they still measured PH a bit off, so we rinsed again until it stopped. They didn’t really know what to do, so they made me clean it, bandaged it, and sent me off.

We thought the green stuff collecting in the wounds was skin. It was, but no longer. Went to see a doctor, not my normal one, who just so happened to have spent a year in a burn clinic: the “collagulate” or whatever they called it, is a dead skin/guck of sorts. It forms whenever the wound comes in contact with dirt or water… which around here is air. It is a breeding ground for bacteria, and must be surgically removed as it’s like a guaranteed infection.

The day prior, I could have brushed this stuff off. When I discovered it needed to go, it was full force, like gum stuck in your hair. So, with three more days before I could see the Vermont burn clinic, I spent 5 hours in the shower picking this **** out with tweezers and finger nails… I’m not proud of it; it was my ******* who got into this mess, and it was a risk that I was making things worse, but I could tell it was only going to be harder to remove as time went on. I’m doing the Army thing, and if you’ve seen the news we’ve got some fitness test rule changes and deadlines attached to them. A bit do or die, I can’t be down for six weeks right now.

Got to the burn clinic, and apparently my gamble paid off: no surgery, no skin grafts. All 2nd degree save a bit on my hand that was 3rd. They give you pads with silver, like legit silver. It is best to keep them on and not remove them whatsoever. I should be good to go within 2 weeks, and I’ve been working on stuff just fine with a good dose of over the counter pain killers and a shot of whiskey each night. Not my norm, I swear.

If you burn yourself, don’t DIY surgery. 10/10 I don’t recommend. But, do clean that **** out before it gets a chance to turn ugly, and keep it covered. The actual cream the ER or doctor is going to prescribe is called silver sulfadiazine. You paste it on, bandage over it, and when you replace bandages it should peel off the crud with it.

Where in VT?

I'm concerned the burn center has such a delay, good thing to keep in mind as I'm doing dumb **** around the house...

Like you, I'd never think twice about getting some concrete splashed on me before. Certainly will now. Glad you're on the mend!

 

[thunderskunk]

Where in VT?

I'm concerned the burn center has such a delay, good thing to keep in mind as I'm doing dumb **** around the house...

Like you, I'd never think twice about getting some concrete splashed on me before. Certainly will now. Glad you're on the mend!

Around Cabot.

So, the UVM burn clinic is working on resident patients Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. That leaves Thursday for any “walk ins” such as myself. The sad part is I didn’t need to be a resident. We’re talking body-sized burns, whole limbs, face, eyesight, etc. There’s also the weird bit where the work they do is not necessarily critical life saving surgery. In my case, I burned myself on a Friday. The burn isn’t finished becoming a burn until Sunday, even with good wash out, so it would have actually been bad to see them on Friday. They’d just have done what the ER did.

 

[PCustoms]

Around Cabot.

So, the UVM burn clinic is working on resident patients Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. That leaves Thursday for any “walk ins” such as myself. The sad part is I didn’t need to be a resident. We’re talking body-sized burns, whole limbs, face, eyesight, etc. There’s also the weird bit where the work they do is not necessarily critical life saving surgery.

Guess I've never thought about a burn clinic equating to walk ins. My experience over the years, thankfully not direct, was some pretty horrific childhood burns, helicopters and months in Boston.

Knew lots of Shriners when I was younger and used to support some of their fundraising. Good reminder to make a donation.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Glad to hear it’s healing and taken care of!

Wishing you a speedy & full recovery!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Oggy]

My Dad did gunite (pneumatically applied concrete) when I was young, he covered as much as possible, but always ended up with a a burn somewhere he didn’t want it. .. I probably still would have done what you did without thinking…

Glad you’re doing better.

 

[rktinc]

Yes, this stuff is really harsh to the skin. I dug out a pipe trench last fall and ended up getting a lot of concrete dust mixed with dirt on to my skin. It caused a terrible rash which took weeks to heal. Only my Dr. knew what it was. Not much could be done, but wait it out. Lost a lot of hair on my legs and arms over it. Some of it has still not returned. Stuff is just poison.

Get well soon.


RKTINC

 

[racecougar]

A good friend of mine, a fire captain, no less, burned up his legs terribly while shotcreting his pool. Those burns are no joke. His pants legs got wet, he didn't think anything of it and kept working until he felt like his legs were on fire. He was out of commission for quite some time.

 

[Jazz1]

Concrete is mast stuff
I was pouring concrete foundations/floors over 50 years ago when I was 16. Alwayys heavy pants and shirts on Never any burns but always Vaseline on my hands even though always wore gloves hands could get irritated

 

[Dewaynep]

Wow, I never would have thought concrete could do that to your skin. I definitely wouldn't have thought twice about letting the concrete touch my skin and not even think about it. This was an excellent PSA for me. Thanks for posting.

 

[rlitman]

Wow, I never would have thought concrete could do that to your skin. I definitely wouldn't have thought twice about letting the concrete touch my skin and not even think about it. This was an excellent PSA for me. Thanks for posting.

Oh yeah. Especially with the high-speed-high-strength additives, concrete is almost as corrosive on your skin as oven cleaner.

 

[LOW1]

Not anywhere close to the OPs and others physical injuries but I learned the hard way that some concrete will ruin the coating on eyeglasses. Wear an old beater pair of glasses.

 

[johnnycars]

wow, good to know! hope you recover quickly!

 

[bluedog225]

I really had no idea it could be so serious. I’m fixing to do some concrete work. I’ll be more careful. Thanks for posting.

 

[txvwnut]

I was pouring a small pad next to the shop and my wife asks if I wanted some help. I said sure grab the rake and pull the pile to the other end and see if you can get it into the corners. I'm loading sacks into the machine and I here her yell oh ****! I look over and she's flat out on her side in the middle of it. I helped her up and then washed her off and said go shower as you don't want this on you for any amount of time.

 

[thunderskunk]

Well… the scars are massive and weird colored. I’ll have those the rest of my life, but at least I get to keep my knees.

Wear protection; hands, eyes, boots, maybe even knee pads. Don’t do dumb things. Have enough people around that two guys can stand around smoking and things still get done. Don’t bother with 5000psi concrete. Rinse and keep rinsing long after it’s uncomfortable. Keep some PH strips around and test when the burn is still wet from rinsing. If it’s anything but clean, keep rinsing. Clean and covered means nothing in there and dang near air tight.

Or, just pay someone else to do the dirty work. Just don’t be poor… bet you didn’t think of that.

 

[Lorydr]

I've been a helper on about 3 residential projects that had no issues.

Back in Jan of 89, I was on a 2 week Army Reserve vacation to the Honduras. Somehow a semi trailer was overloaded with too many bags of concrete mix. Enough to send the front legs of the trailer through the floor. Many of us had to form the bucket-brigade style of getting all the bags out of the trailer, because it was never going to be of any use again. It was a local civilian contractor trailer.

It was about 90 degrees as we worked it. No wind...only sweat and dust. Everyone's arms got torn up, but we were expendable.