First lye accident

[Overthemoon]

Turns out I did not seal my lye container properly after I last used it. Since I was putting it away in a moving box I didn't wear my gloves. Horrible mistake! The container spilled, on me, my hand while I caught it. Lye got on to a couple of fresh nicks on my hand and after vinegar and lots of water, the cuts are, umm brown. This is disconcerting.

 

[agriffin]

Turns out I did not seal my lye container properly after I last used it. Since I was putting it away in a moving box I didn't wear my gloves. Horrible mistake! The container spilled, on me, my hand while I caught it. Lye got on to a couple of fresh nicks on my hand and after vinegar and lots of water, the cuts are, umm brown. This is disconcerting.

Hmmm...I've had lye get on my plenty and sometimes burn to a bright pink! What color is your skin if I might ask... I just haven't heard of cuts turing brown... It might be that's it's burnt. I'm not sure...hopefully some else will chime in! I'm so sorry to hear that happened!

Was it lye crystals or lye already mixed with water?

 

[RoseMarie]

Oh my goodness! Since you already put the vinegar on it and flushed it with water to. I wonder if that silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) for burns would help it?
Is it burning?

 

[Overthemoon]

It was permixed. Some how only the cuts were hurt. And my skin is white. Ah... quite light.

 

[April]

Overthemoon:

I am sorry to read this news. I don't know what is best to put on it...polysporin...aloe vera...ice?

I hope you heal quickly.

Take care,

April

 

[Overthemoon]

It doesn't hurt, which is probably not a great sign, but I've burnt myself far worse than this, it'll heal in no time. And I'm left handed so I saved my good hand.

 

[April]

Happy to read this.

I am a leftie too.

Wonder how many soapmakers are lefties....and also own pets

Regards,

April

 

[agriffin]

It doesn't hurt, which is probably not a great sign, but I've burnt myself far worse than this, it'll heal in no time. And I'm left handed so I saved my good hand.

Well, I would think that if it doesn't hurt that's a good thing...it means that the lye is all gone/neutralized and not burning any more flesh

Keep an eye on it!

 

[ChrissyB]

Sorry you were hurt.
Most, if not all, soapmakers, will at some time or another have an accident with the lye, hopefully the majority of those accidents are minor.
So the moral of the story....double check that you've done the container up properly!

 

[jadiebugs1]

Happy to read this.

I am a leftie too.

Wonder how many soapmakers are lefties....and also own pets

Regards,

April

Me Me Me!!!

 

[Zenobiah]

Hah! I am a leftie and have four kitties!

 

[karajan]

I'm sorry to hear the news. I once for what ever reason which I have absolute no idea, put my hand into my lye solution. I wash them off immediately with water but my skin started to flake the next day!

 

[MagiaDellaLuna]

It doesn't hurt, which is probably not a great sign, but I've burnt myself far worse than this, it'll heal in no time. And I'm left handed so I saved my good hand.

Every so often I decide that it is too hot to wear my face shield........last time I had a few drops of lye/raw soap land on my cheek while I was whipping the mix.

After washing it off and applying vinegar there were some nasty and very tender burns, but I applied some Rosehip oil and by the next day it had healed completely.

 

[Overthemoon]

Sadly I have myself a deep chemical burn and no sensation in that area, it wouldn't have been a big deal if I hadn't had a paper cut for it to get into, and eat. Some antiseptic cream and instructions to keep it cover (via dr) it should be all better in a week.

If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body then only left handed people are in their right minds.

XD

 

[MagiaDellaLuna]

Sadly I have myself a deep chemical burn and no sensation in that area, it wouldn't have been a big deal if I hadn't had a paper cut for it to get into, and eat. Some antiseptic cream and instructions to keep it cover (via dr) it should be all better in a week.

If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body then only left handed people are in their right minds.

XD

Ouch !!! Hope it heals soon.

There is nothing like a lye accident to shake us up. I am now possitively OCD about handling lye again, but rather safe than sorry.

 

[April]

Oh so sorry to hear this.

Yes, Rosehip oil is a miracle worker...after any prescription cream.


Sending you healing vibrations.


April

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Oh dear. Hope it gets better soon.

 

[loveit_latherit]

Oh my Gosh! So sorry to hear this news! How you are well soon!!

 

[honor435]

sorry to hear that, could you try lavender oil? it was discovered by a chemist and he had a chemical burn and used lavender and had no scarring! I used it w a carrier on a sunburn that was blistering(dumb), and it was gone the next day, i smelled stinky! i dont like the smell of lavender.

 

[Overthemoon]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. I do feel like a schmuck.

Because of the depth of the burn, I'm sticking to an antibiotic/ antiseptic cream. Once it's closed I'll be using aloe and lavender. The usual rule for burn is to keep them open to air but since this is on the inside of my palm and rather open, I am on orders to keep it covered.

Note so self, don't even pack lye containers without gloves.

That and I'll stick with lye crystals rather than premix. I am just glad that no animals or other people were around.