Caustic Burns

[Relle]

Well last Wednesday decided to soap.( I wasn't mean't to do this )

Found my mask, couldn't find my safety glasses - next best thing - found my swimming mask. Made up lye out on the front verandah ( hope no one saw me )haha. Let it cool outside. Can't do it out the back as bunny was running around in the yard.

Didn't have to right bucket to mix oils in so then went to the shops - couldn't get what I wanted - out of stock so got some extra big measuring jugs. Measured oils, brought lye inside, didn't want to put it on the bench incase I knocked it over, so on the floor. Yep you guessed it - I kicked it. Splashed on my arm, chin and leg. Washed it well with water and put aloe vera leaf plant on it. Got mad :x and went to the gym.

After an hour the pain stopped and the skin was fine except I didn't see the ones on the leg, so now I have burn spots on there that need to heal.

Came home and soaped and it turned out really well ( my first batch in 10 yrs ). Then had to throw out onions, potatoes that the lye splashed on and clean up the floor.

Moral of the story - keep an aloe plant for burns.

 

[ewenique]

So glad that you didn't suffer more serious burns! A good reminder to always be careful around lye.

 

[Relle]

Yep, I know better and respect how dangerous it can be.

But hey, I got good soap.

Relle.

 

[AmyW]

Ouch! I'm glad it wasn't worse. And that the soap turned out good! Fresh aloe is awesome. Too bad every plant I've had (over a dozen) dies on me


I usually put mine inside my sink until I'm ready to use it, if it spills, it's down the drain, and if it gets on me (don't use safety gear), the cold water is right there.

 

[paillo]

i'm sorry, but the image of the bunny running around the yard while you are enduring trials and tribulations totally cracks me up! mind you, i'm laughing with you, not at you...

an aloe plant is totally the best, and glad your injuries were minor. and i'm sure the soap is going to be awesome, you totally deserve that!!!

 

[Relle]

Amy I neglect my aloe, maybe thats the key. Bunny (Ellie) decides every now and then to have a munch on it, so I guess she trims it for me.

I have to have a mask on when doing lye, can't stand the fumes.

Relle.

 

[Relle]

Paillo, I reacon that you have to laugh sometimes or you'll cry.

Last weeks little catastrophy wasn't too bad because yesterday I went to the dentist to get a crown done and had 3 needles and I'm in more pain with that. :cry:

I'll post the soap photo when the computer isn't playing up.

Relle.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I put the lye in the sink too Relle. Hope your burns heal quickly. :wink:

 

[Dragonkaz]

Thanks for sharing that Relle! I'm strict with using protective equipment, as I can't afford to hurt myself, being on my own ... and your post is a reminder that even with protective equipment there may be exposed areas that are at risk.

I grow and use aloe ... although have had problems due to paying too much attention to these plants.

 

[carebear]

the less you move the solution around, the better. put your container in the sink and make it there. if there's a window, open it. otherwise just keep your face away.

since lye devours FAT, I suggest washing with copious amounts of water, then giving it something else to work on in case you have residual lye in your skin. rub on some shea butter, or heck, any other oil. aloe can be soothing but first you need to ensure the lye is consumed. aloe later. IMO.

 

[judymoody]

I usually put mine inside my sink until I'm ready to use it, if it spills, it's down the drain, and if it gets on me (don't use safety gear), the cold water is right there.

Amy, please, please get some safety goggles!!!!! Really!

I know a lot of folks don't use gloves and have good reasons for not doing so. But eyes are different.

 

[ToniD]

Yeah, I always mix mine in the sink also.

It hurts to learn lessons about not compromising safety gear. I had my face mask on all through making and clean up, but when I turned around after washing and took my face mask off, I saw that I had neglected to wash the SB. I did not put my face mask back on to wash it. I swished my gloved finger around inside the bell part and splashed the raw soap onto my face. Even though I ran cold water on my face for a few minutes, I still had a burn. Nothing major, thankfully, but a two inch mark on my cheek saying "Wear your safety gear!"

And besides, one feels totally ridiculous with ones face stuck under a facet.

 

[Bukawww]

I highly recommend the premixed lye solution in a well washed detergent bottle - I can't thank the ladies enough for that suggestion. I mix up just over a gallon of 50/50 at a time (probably 6-7 8lb batches or so worth).

I mix it up in my craft room, in a juice pitcher, door closed, full gear on, window open. Leave the room while it settles down. Come back in, funnel into the bottle (I'm using a Downy Fabric SOftener bottle)...cap tightly and store way up high and clearly marked.

It has totally destressed soap making for me and I don't have to be so careful so often...its changed my soaping life forever

 

[Adema]

the less you move the solution around, the better. put your container in the sink and make it there. if there's a window, open it. otherwise just keep your face away.

since lye devours FAT, I suggest washing with copious amounts of water, then giving it something else to work on in case you have residual lye in your skin. rub on some shea butter, or heck, any other oil. aloe can be soothing but first you need to ensure the lye is consumed. aloe later. IMO.

My parents run a dry cleaning and when they have a lye splash they always rinse with water and then put butter on it,, the lye just want to make soap with your skin :?

Kveðja
María

 

[carebear]

the less you move the solution around, the better. put your container in the sink and make it there. if there's a window, open it. otherwise just keep your face away.

since lye devours FAT, I suggest washing with copious amounts of water, then giving it something else to work on in case you have residual lye in your skin. rub on some shea butter, or heck, any other oil. aloe can be soothing but first you need to ensure the lye is consumed. aloe later. IMO.

My parents run a dry cleaning and when they have a lye splash they always rinse with water and then put butter on it,, the lye just want to make soap with your skin :?

Kveðja
María

exactly

 

[Relle]

Looks like I put it in the sink then and wear a long sleeve top, although in this heat it gets a bit too hot.

I find aloe really good for burns, dh had oil bubble up on his arm, after washing with water, then putting on the aloe plant it saved his skin from scaring (great stuff).

Don't think I'll be making up a master batch of lye, don't like the stuff being around, I'll make it as I need it.

Thanks everyone for all your tips
Relle.

 

[Lil Green Ponies]

I rinse with vinegar. My standard procedure is to have an open vinegar bottle on the counter. If you get little splashes, soak on the vinegar - takes the burn right away.
I think it neutralizes the lye immediately.

 

[carebear]

Yea - the lye plus vinegar thing. Yes, it does neutralize the lye, but the thing is that the chemical reaction creates HEAT which can make things worse. And causes PAIN!!! Vinegar on an open wound (which is what your chemical burn is).

When I was a college student I worked with KOH (extracting the carotenes from canned carrots, it was interesting) and got some on my face below my eye - a spot about the size of a quarter. It took me a few moments to realize it was there. And then I had my face under the faucet and was rinsing away and someone decided they needed to neutralize the KOH by daubing in vinegar.

YIKES!!! **** THAT HURT! More than anything I can remember experiencing.

My face went BACK under the faucet.

The rule of thumb is dilute! dilute! dilute!

If you get a lye solution on your skin I strongly recommend WATER!! Followed by oi/butterl once you are pretty sure it's gone. If you get raw soap on your skin I recommend WATER!!! Followed by a good wash with soap and water to get any residual lye-laden oil off your skin, then some oil again.

 

[c.a.p.]

I know a lot of folks don't use gloves and have good reasons for not doing so. But eyes are different.

What are the "good reasons" not to wear gloves?

 

[madpiano]

I don't wear gloves as I am too clumsy with them. I nearly knocked the whole lye solution over the first time I made soap and wore gloves. Also I don't like the fact that I cannot feel any raw soap splashing on my hands if I wear gloves and I accidentially touch an exposed part of my skin with them. I don't soap far from the tap though. I have been lucky not to have lye splashes on my hands, raw soap isn't too bad, it hurts before it burns and can be rinsed off easily.