Which statement best describes the relationship between chemical and thermal burns?

• A. Chemical burn results from corrosive substances; thermal burn from heat contact.
• B. Thermal burn results from corrosive substances; chemical burn from heat contact.
• C. Chemical burns only from industrial chemicals
• D. Both are the same

Answer: (A)

Chemical burns happen when corrosive substances come into contact with the skin, causing tissue damage through chemical reactions and often continuing until the substance is removed or neutralized. Thermal burns occur when the skin is exposed to heat, flames, or hot objects, causing injury from the transfer of heat. This makes the statement that pair corrosive substances with chemical burns and heat contact with thermal burns the best description of their relationship. The other options misstate the sources or scope—for example, reversing the source for thermal burns, limiting chemical burns only to industrial chemicals, or claiming the two are the same.