Yes, bleach can burn skin. Bleach burns can result from household, industrial, or commercial chemicals.

How long does it take for bleach to burn the skin?

Bleach usually does not burn on contact. It tends to require prolonged exposure to burn the skin. If you are handling bleach, concrete mix, or other caustic chemicals, always wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots as well as long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

The amount of time it takes for bleach to burn the skin depends on the strength and type of chemicals. If you get bleach on your skin, immediately flush the area with cool water and wash with pH-neutral soap.

Bleach causes a burn in stages. The initial reaction will be a simple skin irritation. With prolonged exposure, the irritation may progress to a burn.

Can bleach cause internal burn injuries?

Yes, inhaling or swallowing chemicals that contain bleach may cause internal injuries. In such cases, patients might also sustain a chemical burn on the lip.

Internal tissue damage can be life-threatening. All chemical burns must be considered potential medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention.

How will I know if I have a bleach burn?

It depends on the location of the bleach burn. If you have a bleach burn in your eyes, you may experience pain and burning in the eyes, or even a loss of vision. A bleach burn on the skin can cause pain, burning, irritation, or numbness. The skin can appear red or even black, with or without blisters. If you inhaled or swallowed a product containing bleach, you may experience nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, coughing, throat pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.

What are the most common settings for bleach exposure?

Products used for the following purposes can cause bleach burns in the home:

  • Laundry
  • Cleaning
  • Disinfecting
  • Swimming pool chemicals
  • Household water treatment
  • Stain removal
  • Age spot removal
  • Teeth whitening
  • Hair dye (can leave the person applying it with chemical burns on the hands, can leave the person its being applied to with chemical burns on the face or scalp or in the eyes)

Bleach burns can occur in the following commercial or industrial settings:

  • Beauty salons, bleach burns can stem from hair dye, cosmetic treatments, teeth whitening treatments, etc.
  • At work, e.g., janitors, plumbers, pool cleaners, laundromat workers, construction workers can all sustain bleach burns

Although many bleach burns are minor, some people experience second- or third-degree bleach burns. Some might even be fatal.

If your bleach burn was the result of another party’s negligence, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Call our lawyer referral specialists at 844-549-8774 to connect with a lawyer who can help with your claim.