Accident with TCA! How should I treat my burns?

Question

I buy 100% TCA and dilute it to 20% with distilled water. 2 days ago I stuck my qtip into the bottle to spot treat 2 places on each cheek. It was the 100%!!! I immediately splashed with water and put a paste of baking soda on it, but it instantly frosted. One side it ran down my face. I have 2 significant burns on each cheek. I've been applying silvadene cream 2 or 3 times a day, spf 50 and aquaphor at night. Anything else I should do other than throwing the TCA in the trash??

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with a cosmetic dermatologist for after care. I don't recommend applying TCA peels yourself due to the risk of complications. I recommend silicone gel with growth factors to promote healing. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Faiyaaz Kalimullah, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's impossible to make exact recommendations regarding wound care without assessing you in-person - please see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options to minimize your risk of scarring. Chemical peels, particularly those with higher strength acids like TCA, are a very complex procedure and require a great deal of expertise. If not applied properly, there is a relatively high risk of side effects and complications, including burns and permanent scarring. As a result, I strongly recommend against attempting TCA peels at home.

Accident with TCA! How should I treat my burns?

Answers (2)