Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreating SkinWhen to Call 911ComplicationsSafe Disposal Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treating Skin
When to Call 911
Complications
Safe Disposal Tips
If you get battery acid on your skin, you need to flush the affected area with cool, running water—without interruption—for at least 15 minutes. That’s because battery acid is a corrosive substance that can cause achemical burnon your skin.
Some battery acids can be more damaging than others, so continue flushing the skin even after 15 minutes if pain, irritation, and burning sensations persist.
This article walks you through the symptoms of a battery acid burn and how different battery burns are treated. It also describes the signs of a medical emergency and possible complications if chemical burns are inappropriately treated.
Robert Houser / Getty Images
Symptoms of Battery Acid on Skin
You may not have symptoms immediately after getting battery acid on your skin. Thisdoes notmean that you are not in any danger.
The corrosive effects of some battery acids can be slow and progressive. Unless the skin is flushed and appropriately treated, it can lead to the classic symptoms of a chemical burn, including:
Other Symptoms
If battery acid is inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the lips or eyes, other symptoms can develop, including:
Treating Battery Acid Burns
Battery acid needs to be flushed from the skin immediately. This is important even if it doesn’t feel like it is causing any damage. The longer the battery acid stays on the skin, the more severe the damage can be.
Home Batteries
Home batteries commonly found around the house are called alkaline batteries. Most are made with a chemical called potassium hydroxide, commonly known as lye.
Rather than being an actual acid (meaning a pH of less than 7), lye is alkaline (meaning a pH greater than 7), hence the name. Even so, lye is extremely caustic and can cause potentially severe chemical burns.
Most alkaline battery burns occur when the battery is corroded and leaks chemicals. It can also occur if the battery is broken open accidentally or intentionally.
Here is what to do if someone is exposed to alkaline battery acid:
After 15 minutes, stop and check for any signs of worsening pain or skin injury. If there is any doubt, continue rinsing.
Car Batteries
Car batteries are usually lead-encased batteries that contain sulfuric acid (also known as sulphuric acid). Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive substance that is destructive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Severe exposure can result in death.
The treatment of sulfuric acid exposure differs slightly from lye exposure in that it is more easily removed from the skin with soapy water. Soapy water is also more alkaline (pH 12) than sulfuric acid (pH 2 to 3) and can help counter its effects.
To treat a sulfuric acid burn:
Continue until you are reasonably satisfied that the symptoms are not worsening.
Car battery acid burns almost always require immediate medical attention. Loosely wrap the injured site with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and rush to your nearest emergency room.
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries found in items such as mobile phones and e-cigarettes. They are made with a combination of lithium-based compounds that react with crystalline carbon (graphite) to create an electrical charge.
Neither lithium nor graphite is an “acid.” However, lithium is known to be highly reactive and flammable, and can spontaneously combust when overheated. This is known to occur when lithium-ion batteries malfunction.
The combustion or explosion of a lithium-ion battery can spill lithium onto the skin. Lithium generally only causes skin rash and irritation but when super-heated can cause severe thermal burns along with skin corrosion and pitted ulcers.
The treatment of lithium-ion battery burn is similar to that of alkaline battery burns:
Assess the injury after flushing and go to your nearest emergency room if there are signs of asecond-degree or third-degree burn.
Immediate Care After Flushing
If the injury is relatively mild, apply a cool, wet compress to the skin to relieve pain. You can then wrap it in a dry sterile dressing or clean cloth. Wrap the dressing loosely to avoid pressure or friction.
If medical treatment is not needed, you can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Advil (ibuprofen) to help ease the pain.
There are several things you should not do with chemical burns:
How to Treat Battery Acid in the EyesIf you get battery acid in your eyes. flush your eyes with cool water for at least 30 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them first.When you are reasonably assured that the acid is fully rinsed from your eyes, call 911 or have someone rush you to the emergency room. This is true even if your vision seems fine and you feel no pain.
How to Treat Battery Acid in the Eyes
If you get battery acid in your eyes. flush your eyes with cool water for at least 30 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them first.When you are reasonably assured that the acid is fully rinsed from your eyes, call 911 or have someone rush you to the emergency room. This is true even if your vision seems fine and you feel no pain.
If you get battery acid in your eyes. flush your eyes with cool water for at least 30 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them first.
When you are reasonably assured that the acid is fully rinsed from your eyes, call 911 or have someone rush you to the emergency room. This is true even if your vision seems fine and you feel no pain.
Home First Aid Treatment of Burns
You need to call 911 immediately if a chemical burn is severe. This includes:
If in doubt, seek medical care.
For less severe burns, call the Poison Control Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 222-1222. They can give you information over the phone on how to treat a chemical burn.
Other complications can occur after exposure to battery acid. These include:
How to Safely Dispose of Batteries
It may be OK to put certain batteries in the waste bin, but others should never be disposed of in your household garbage or recycling bin.
Here is what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends:
If you have a leaky household battery, always use protective gloves before placing it in a plastic bag to dispose of it.
Summary
Battery acid can cause severe burns. If your skin comes into contact with battery acid, it’s important to take action right away.
Treatment depends on the type of acid. Alkaline battery acid should be rinsed with clear water. Use warm, soapy water for sulfuric battery acid. Always seek medical care or call poison control for any kind of chemical burn.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Chemical burn or reaction.
Akelma H, Karahan AZ.Rare chemical burns: review of the literature.Int Wound J.2019 Dec;16(6):1330–8. doi:10.1111/iwj.13193
National Capital Poison Center.Suspect a poisoning? Get expert help.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Used household batteries.
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