What best describes a chemical burn?

• A. Occurs when heat burns the tissue.
• B. Occurs from cold exposure.
• C. Occurs when living tissue is exposed to a corrosive substance such as a strong acid or base.
• D. Occurs when tissue is crushed

Answer: (C)

A chemical burn happens when living tissue is damaged by contact with a corrosive chemical, such as a strong acid or base. The injury comes from the chemical reacting with and breaking down cells and proteins in the tissue, causing tissue damage that can be deep and ongoing. This is different from a burn caused by heat (thermal burn), or injury from cold exposure (frostbite), or a crush injury from mechanical forces. Because the damage continues as long as the chemical remains on the skin or in the eye, the immediate priority is to remove the chemical, typically by thorough irrigation with water, to stop the ongoing injury. Understanding this distinction helps explain why the description fits a chemical burn and not the other types of tissue injury.