Wear Rubber Gloves

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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 11:03 pm

I was doing my spring cleaning (actually--code enforcement is coming through the apartments Wednesday), and I thought I'd wash down the walls with bleach and water.

I didn't wear gloves. I'm in extreme pain Sad

So, take it from me: Wear rubber gloves using bleach!

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 1:31 am

ouch! that looks painful. :yikes:

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 5:17 am

Owww

Get some Aloe Vera on there immediately, if not sooner...

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:08 am

Ow

Yes.. Wearing gloves while using chemicals is advisable.

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:38 am

@ dwatina

Google a paramedic

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Burns-1441/2008/4/Bleach-burn.htm

Quote:

Many people think that a quick rinsing with water is adequate. It is NOT! Lots of soap and water is required. I recommend that you wash your hands with warm soap and water for at least 30 minutes and then dry thoroughly. If any blisters formed cover them with neosporin and sterile gauze. Again, if blisters or raw open wet looking skin are present insure they are well coated with neosporin and see your doctor. If only red irritated skin is the problem then you may use the neosporin for the next day or so, or until the irritation subsides, then Mederma as a moisturizer and protector. A little Tylenol will help with some of the discomfort. In many chemical burns the substance causing the problem actually saturates the skin and can be pretty persistent. If the burns seem to get worse instead of better over the next 24 hours see your physician!

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:53 am

hypochlorite, the most common active ingredient in bleach, is a pretty nasty chemical. I would definitely follow kate's advice and get someone to take a look. don't be embarassed by it at all, just get it checked out. chemical burns aren't fun (from someone who knows)

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 10:38 am

I spend many hours of every working day telling people about working safely.

Simple advice, is to read the instructions and to know what you are dealing with and how to handle any accidents before you begin using anything.

In the case of bleach, wearing gloves is good advice, using a safer chemical is better advice.

While using bleach on a wall, there was a real chance you could have gotten splashes into your eyes, fumes into your lungs or worse still, spilt it on your furniture or carpet bringing the wrath or your significant other.

My advice, do all you can to avoid the need for Kate's advice, using something much safer for cleaning your walls would be the best way to do that Wink

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 11:41 am

dwatina, I hope your hands are better. Sad

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 12:00 pm

That looks painful. I use paint stripper almost every in my job day and don't wear gloves. I hardly even notice any spits or slashes I get on my hands or arms any more. Though I hate removing these new two-part or pre-cat cellulose finishes they use these days. Considering all the abuse my hands get sanding and working with great big lumps of furniture they are in remarkably good nick. Wink

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:37 pm

Dwatina, that looks nasty. Please get it looked at by a medic.

We use Sugar Soap for washing down walls, a lot milder than bleach and does the job. It's often used for cleaning before decorating.

On a lighter note - what kind of stains did you have that needed bleach? Actually, never mind! Shocked

C x

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 6:23 pm

From now on I don't even clean the cat box without wearing gloves.

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:34 pm

thanks gang--I made sure I washed it with soap and I am using Neosporin. It hasn't gotten worse and is actually improving.

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:50 pm

Cougar, we know luminol works even after a bleach down...

Chemical burn first aid is always washing with cold water. Cold water causes the pores to contract keeping further damage from happening. Do not use too much greasy salve (unless anti-biotic) as this may lead to infection. Always used gloves when using cleaners of non-neutral pH and with cleaners that are solvents as they rapidly depleat the natural oils of the skin.

I am glad your hands are improving.

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 8:15 pm

Thanks. I'm always going to use gloves in the future