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Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 231
International Journal of Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Research
Journal Home Page: www.pharmaresearchlibrary.com/ijmpr
Review Article Open Access
Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review
Dr. Apexa B Patel1*, Dr. Advaita B Patel2, Dr. Baldev V. Patel3
1BDS, College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
2Assistanat Professor, Kalol Institute of Pharmacy, Kalol, India.
3Professor, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, India.
A B S T R A C T
Acid attacks occur all over the world in recent years and it is one of the most heinous crimes against human beings,
especially against women. Acid attacks not only inflict physical injuries but also affects survivor’s entire life. Acid attack
survivors need utmost care in medicinal as well as in psychological treatment. Little is known about health care management
of acid attack survivors. This review article summarizes history, epidemiology, reasons and effects of acid attacks. This
review article provides prevention, first aid, treatment and social integration support of acid attack survivors.
Keywords: Acid attack, Acid attack survivors, Acid burn patients.
A R T I C L E I N F O
CONTENTS
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
2. Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
3. Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
4. Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
5. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Article History: Received 20 June 2016, Accepted 25 July 2016, Available Online 10 August 2016
PAPER-QR CODE
Citation: Apexa B Patel, et al. Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review. Int. J. Med. Pharm. Res., 2016, 4(4): 231-
236.
Copyright©2016 Apexa B Patel, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1. Introduction
Acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, also called as Acid
throwing,1is a form of violent assault.2-4 Acid attack is
defined as the act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive
substance onto the body of another with the intention
to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill.5Perpetrators of acid
attacks throw acid at their victims, usually at their faces,
burning them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and
sometimes dissolving the bones. [6]
History of Acid Attack:
Acid has been used in metallurgy since prehistoric times
and for etching since the middle Ages and antiquity. The
rhetorical and theatrical term "La Vitriole use" was coined
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Apexa B Patel
BDS, College of Dental Sciences and
Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
Manuscript ID: IJMPR2982
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 231
International Journal of Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Research
Journal Home Page: www.pharmaresearchlibrary.com/ijmpr
Review Article Open Access
Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review
Dr. Apexa B Patel1*, Dr. Advaita B Patel2, Dr. Baldev V. Patel3
1BDS, College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
2Assistanat Professor, Kalol Institute of Pharmacy, Kalol, India.
3Professor, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, India.
A B S T R A C T
Acid attacks occur all over the world in recent years and it is one of the most heinous crimes against human beings,
especially against women. Acid attacks not only inflict physical injuries but also affects survivor’s entire life. Acid attack
survivors need utmost care in medicinal as well as in psychological treatment. Little is known about health care management
of acid attack survivors. This review article summarizes history, epidemiology, reasons and effects of acid attacks. This
review article provides prevention, first aid, treatment and social integration support of acid attack survivors.
Keywords: Acid attack, Acid attack survivors, Acid burn patients.
A R T I C L E I N F O
CONTENTS
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
2. Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
3. Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
4. Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
5. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Article History: Received 20 June 2016, Accepted 25 July 2016, Available Online 10 August 2016
PAPER-QR CODE
Citation: Apexa B Patel, et al. Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review. Int. J. Med. Pharm. Res., 2016, 4(4): 231-
236.
Copyright©2016 Apexa B Patel, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1. Introduction
Acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, also called as Acid
throwing,1is a form of violent assault.2-4 Acid attack is
defined as the act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive
substance onto the body of another with the intention
to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill.5Perpetrators of acid
attacks throw acid at their victims, usually at their faces,
burning them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and
sometimes dissolving the bones. [6]
History of Acid Attack:
Acid has been used in metallurgy since prehistoric times
and for etching since the middle Ages and antiquity. The
rhetorical and theatrical term "La Vitriole use" was coined
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Apexa B Patel
BDS, College of Dental Sciences and
Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
Manuscript ID: IJMPR2982
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 231
International Journal of Medicine and
Pharmaceutical Research
Journal Home Page: www.pharmaresearchlibrary.com/ijmpr
Review Article Open Access
Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review
Dr. Apexa B Patel1*, Dr. Advaita B Patel2, Dr. Baldev V. Patel3
1BDS, College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
2Assistanat Professor, Kalol Institute of Pharmacy, Kalol, India.
3Professor, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, India.
A B S T R A C T
Acid attacks occur all over the world in recent years and it is one of the most heinous crimes against human beings,
especially against women. Acid attacks not only inflict physical injuries but also affects survivor’s entire life. Acid attack
survivors need utmost care in medicinal as well as in psychological treatment. Little is known about health care management
of acid attack survivors. This review article summarizes history, epidemiology, reasons and effects of acid attacks. This
review article provides prevention, first aid, treatment and social integration support of acid attack survivors.
Keywords: Acid attack, Acid attack survivors, Acid burn patients.
A R T I C L E I N F O
CONTENTS
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
2. Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
3. Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
4. Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
5. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Article History: Received 20 June 2016, Accepted 25 July 2016, Available Online 10 August 2016
PAPER-QR CODE
Citation: Apexa B Patel, et al. Health Care Management of Acid Attack Survivors: A review. Int. J. Med. Pharm. Res., 2016, 4(4): 231-
236.
Copyright©2016 Apexa B Patel, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1. Introduction
Acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, also called as Acid
throwing,1is a form of violent assault.2-4 Acid attack is
defined as the act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive
substance onto the body of another with the intention
to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill.5Perpetrators of acid
attacks throw acid at their victims, usually at their faces,
burning them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and
sometimes dissolving the bones. [6]
History of Acid Attack:
Acid has been used in metallurgy since prehistoric times
and for etching since the middle Ages and antiquity. The
rhetorical and theatrical term "La Vitriole use" was coined
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Apexa B Patel
BDS, College of Dental Sciences and
Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
Manuscript ID: IJMPR2982
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 232
in France after a "wave of vitriolage" occurred according to
the popular press, where in 1879, 16 cases of acid attacks
were widely reported as crimes of passion, perpetrated
predominantly by women against other women.7Much was
made of the idea that women, no matter how few, had
employed violence as means to an end. On October 17,
1915 acid was fatally thrown on Prince Leopold Clement of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, heir to the House of Koháry, by
his distraught mistress, Camilla Rybicka, who then killed
herself. Sensationalizing such incidents made for lucrative
newspaper sales.8The use of acid as a weapon began to rise
in many developing nations, specifically those in South
Asia.9The first recorded acid attacks in South Asia
occurred in Bangladesh in 1967,10 India in 1982, and
Cambodia in 1993.7Since then, research has witnessed an
increase in the amount and severity of acid attacks in the
region. However, this can be traced to significant
underreporting in the 1980s and 1990s, along with a general
lack of research for this phenomenon during that period.11
Research shows acid attacks increasing in many developing
nations, with the exception of Bangladesh which has
observed a decrease in incidence in the past few years.10
Reasons for motivation of perpetrators:
Personal conflicts in intimate relations and sexual
rejection: Acid attacks often occur as revenge against a
woman in parts of south asia who rejects a proposal of
marriage or a sexual advance. [14-16] Such attacks are
common in societies where there is a high level of gender
inequality and women occupy a subordinate position in
relation to men.17 Acid attacks also often results from
Conflicts related to dowry.10
Conflicts over land and property
Conflicts regarding inheritance and other property issues
are also at times causes acid attacks. People are often
assaulted due to land disputes.18-19
Gang violence and rivalry: Acid attacks related to
conflicts between criminal gangs occur in many places,
ranging from the United Kingdom20 to Indonesia. [21] The
intention of the attacker is often to humiliate rather than to
kill the victim. In the UK such attacks are believed to be
underreported, and as a result many of them do not show up
in official statistics.20
Socially, politically and religiously motivated.
Attacks against individuals due to their social or political
activities, or due to their religious beliefs also occur. These
attacks may be targeted against a specific individual, due to
their activities, or may be perpetrated against random
persons merely because they are part of a social group or
community. In Pakistan, female students have had acid
thrown in their faces as a punishment for attending school.
[22] Acid attacks due to religious conflicts have been
reported in Tanzania. [23,24] In Europe, Konstantina
Kouneva, currently a member of the European Parliament,
had acid thrown on her in 2008, in what was described as
"the most severe assault on a trade unionist in Greece for 50
years." [25]
Acids used in Acid Attack:
Sulfuric acid,
Nitric acid,
Hydrochloric acid.7
Health effects of Acid Burn Patients:
Acid attack can cause lifelong bodily disfigurement of the
survivors. According to the Acid Survivors Foundation in
Pakistan, there is a high survival rate amongst victims of
acid attacks. Consequently, the victim is faced with
physical challenges, which require long-term surgical
treatment, as well as psychological challenges, which
require in-depth intervention from psychologists and
counselors at each stage of physical recovery. These far-
reaching effects on their lives impact their psychological,
social and economic viability in communities. [5]
Medical Effects:
The medical effects of acid attacks are extensive.Majority
of acid attacks are aimed at the face,27 and the severity of
the damage depends on the concentration of the acid and
the time before the acid is thoroughly washed off with
water or neutralized with a neutralizing agent. The acid can
rapidly eat away skin, the layer of fat beneath the skin, and
in some cases even the underlying bone. Eyelids and lips
may be completely destroyed, the nose and ears severely
damaged.28 though not exhaustive, their findings included:29
The skull : partly destroyed/deformed and hair lost.
Ear cartilage:
It is usually partly or totally destroyed; deafness may occur.
Eyelids :
Burned off or deformed, leaving the eyes extremely dry and
prone to blindness. Acid directly in the eye also
damages sight, sometimes causing blindness in both eyes.
Nose can become shrunken and deformed; the nostrils may
close off completely due to destroyed cartilage.
Mouth:
Mouth becomes shrunken and narrow, and it may lose its
full range of motion. Sometimes, the lips may be partly or
totally destroyed, exposing the teeth. Eating and speaking
can become difficult.
Neck: Scars can run down from the chin to neck area,
shrinking the chin and extremely limiting range of
motion in the neck.
Esophagus and Nostrils: Inhalation of acid vapors usually
creates respiratory problems, exacerbated
restricted airway pathways in acid burn patients.
In addition to these above-mentioned medical effects, acid
attack victims face the possibility of septicemia, renal
failure, skin depigmentation, and even death.30
Psychological effects:
Acid assault survivors face many mental health issues upon
recovery. One study showed that when compared to
published Western norms for psychological well-being,
non-Caucasian acid attack victims reported higher levels
of anxiety, depression, and scored higher on the Derriford
appearance scale, which measures psychological
distress due to one's concern for their appearance.
Additionally, the women reported lowered self-
esteem according to the Rosenberg scale and increased self-
consciousness, both in general and in the social sphere.31
In some countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and
Kuwait, acid attack victims are psychologically persecuted
after the acid attack. The media overwhelmingly avoids
reporting acid attack related violence; if covered, the
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 233
description of the attack is spartan, and often implies that
the act was inevitable or even justified.32
Social effects:
In addition to medical and psychological effects, many
social implications exist for acid survivors, especially
women.29 For example, such attacks usually leave victims
handicapped in some way, rendering them dependent on
either their spouse or family for everyday activities, such as
eating and running errands. These dependencies are
increased by the fact that many acid survivors are not able
to find suitable work, due to impaired vision and physical
handicap. This negatively impacts their economic viability,
causing hardships on the families/spouses that care for
them. As a result, divorce rates are high, with abandonment
by husbands found in 25 percent of acid assault cases
inUganda (compared to only 3 percent of wives abandoning
their disfigured husbands).29 Moreover, acid survivors who
are single when attacked almost certainly become
ostracized from society, effectively ruining marriage
prospects.33
2. Prevention
Regulation of acid sales: A positive correlation has been
observed between acid attacks and ease of acid purchase.34
Sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acid are most commonly
used and they are cheap and readily available in many
cases. For example, often acid throwers can purchase a liter
of concentrated sulfuric acid at motorbike mechanic shops
for about 40 cents. Nitric acid costs around $1.50 per liter
and is available for purchase at gold or jewelry shops, as
polishers generally use it to purify gold and
metals. Hydrochloric acid is also used for polishing jewelry,
as well as for making soy sauce, cosmetics, and traditional
medicine/amphetamine drugs. [7]Because of such ease of
access, many organizations call for a stricter regulation on
the acid economy. Specific actions include required
licenses for all acid traders, a ban on concentrated acid in
certain areas, and enhanced system of monitoring for acid
sales, such as the need to document all transactions
involving acid. However, some scholars have warned that
such stringent regulation may result in black market trading
of acid, which law enforcements must keep in mind.5
Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been
formed in the countries with the highest occurrence of acid
attacks to combat such attacks. Bangladesh has its Acid
Survivors Foundation, which offers acid victims legal,
medical, counseling, and monetary assistance in rebuilding
their lives. [34] Similar institutions exist in Uganda, which
has its own Acid Survivors Foundation, [29] and in
Cambodia which uses the help of Cambodian Acid
Survivors Charity.5 NGOs provide rehabilitation services
for survivors while acting as advocates for social reform,
hoping to increase support and awareness for acid assault.
Bangladesh, the Acid Survivors Foundation, Nairpokkho,
Action Aid, and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee's Community Empowerment & Strengthening
Local Institutions Programme assist survivors. [35] The
Depilex Smileagain Foundation and The Acid Survivors
Foundation in Pakistan operates in Islamabad, offering
medical, psychological and rehabilitation support.36 The
Acid Survivors Foundation in Uganda operates in Kampala
and provides counseling and rehabilitation treatment to
victims, as well as their families.37 The LICADHO, the
Association of the Blind in cambodia and the Cambodian
Acid Survivors Charity assist survivors of acid attacks. The
Acid Survivors Foundation India operates from different
centres with national headquarters at Kolkata and chapters
at Delhi and Mumbai. Acid Survivors Trust International
(UK registered charity no. 1079290) provides specialist
support to its sister organizations in Africa and Asia. [37]
Acid Survivors Trust International is the only international
organisation whose sole purpose is to end acid violence.
The organisation was founded in 2002 and now works with
a network of six Acid Survivors Foundations in
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Uganda
that it has helped to form. Acid Survivors Trust
International has helped to provide medical expertise and
training to partners, raised valuable funds to support
survivors of acid attacks and helped change laws. Indian
acid attack survivor Shirin Juwaley founded the Palash
Foundation40 to help other survivors with psycho-social
rehabilitation. She also spearheads research into social
norms of beauty and speaks publicly as an advocate for the
empowerment of all victims of disfigurement and
discrimination. [41] In the year 2011, the principal of an
Indian college refused to have Juwaley speak at her school
for fear that Juwaley's story of being attacked by her
husband would make students "become scared of
marriage". [42]
3. Treatment
In many developing nations treatment for burn victims
remains inadequate where incidence is high. Medical
underfunding has resulted in very few burn
centers available for victims in countries such as Uganda,
Bangladesh,9and Cambodia.5For example, Uganda has one
specialized burn center in the entire nation which opened in
2003,29 likewise Cambodia has only one burn facility for
victims,5and scholars estimate that only 30% of the
Bangladeshi people has access to health care.9In addition
to inadequate medical capabilities, many acid attack victims
fail to report to the police due to a lack of trust in the force,
and a fear of male brutality in dealing with their cases.33
Most of the female victims suffer more because of police
apathy in dealing with cases of harassment as safety issues
as victims refused to register a police case despite being
attacked thrice before meriting police aid after an acid
attack.44 These problems are exacerbated by a lack of
knowledge of how to treat burns. Many victims applied oil
to the acid, rather than rinsing thoroughly and completely
with water to neutralize the acid. Such home remedies do
not counteract acidity so in fact lead to increase the severity
of damage.30
4. Management
Provide First Aid to Acid Burn Patients:30,43
It is very important to give a first aid to the acid burn
patients as soon as possible because there are chances of
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 234
penetration of acid into the bone which could be fatal for
their life.
Immediately wash affected body part of patient
with plenty of fresh or saline water. Avoid using
dirty water as it may cause severe infection.
Keep flushing the affected burn area with plenty of
cool water until the patient’s burning sensation
starts fading. It may take 30-45 minutes.
Remove all the clothing or jewelry which had
contact with acid.
Do not apply any kind of cream or ointment on the
affected area as it may sluggish the treatment
procedure by doctors.
Use sterilizes gauze to loosely wrap the affected
area as it would protect the skin from air, dirt,
debris and contamination.
Rush the patient to a burn specialty hospital which
has isolated wards for burn patients.
Treatment of wounds of acid burn patients43
Hygiene:
The most common cause of death in acid burn patients is
infection. The burn skin is very sensitive and can be easily
infected. It is therefore very important to maintain a strict
hygiene until the wounds are completely healed. The room
and washroom used by acid burn patients should be
thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant 2-3 times a day. Food
containers should be properly sterilized before use. Acid
burn patients must strictly avoid outside food.
Proper Dressing:
While doing dressing of movable body parts of acid burn
patients utmost care has to be maintained. Take care that
burnt skin do not come in contact with each other,
otherwise they would stick with each other and it could
worsen the situation.
Physiotherapy:
In acid burn patients nerves under the skin may get
permanently damaged leading to inability in the movement
of body parts and it could lead to physical handicap, if
ignored. Therefore, regular sessions of physiotherapy are
important to ensure that nerves are trained properly and
body parts remain movable.
Skin Grafting:
In Acid burn patients surgery is performed to cover the
open flesh with a skin which is taken from other parts of
body where there is no burn e.g. thigh or lower back.
Protein Rich Food:
Acid burn patients need lots of proteins and carbohydrates
for damaged tissues to heal. Consult nutritionist to arrange a
proper diet for the patients throughout the course of
treatment.
Monitor Hemoglobin: Large amounts of blood loss occur
in acid burn patients which results in very low hemoglobin
level. In such cases doctors cannot perform any surgery
therefore patients should take diet which helps in improving
hemoglobin level. In some cases blood transfusion should
also be considered.
Corrective Surgery:
After the healing of wounds acid burn patients require a
series of corrective surgery for correcting the contracted
skin. Consult a plastic surgeon for planning out the
sequence of operation.
Long Term Maintenance:
After the wounds heal maintenance of skin is
utmost important so that scarred tissues settle
well.43
Regular massage with coconut oil and contratubex
two times a day.
Gell sheet application on affected area at least
twice a day.
Pressure garment to wear at least 10-12 hrs a day.
Counseling of Acid Burn Patients:
At times acid burn patients have a very low self esteem due
to pain, social stigma and they lose hope to live therefore
patients should be provided good counseling support as the
long course of treatment. There are several instances when
acid burn patients have bounced back in life. Citing such
instances would help the patients to regain faith and look
ahead for their long battle with life.30,43
Social reintegration support:
In many cases acid burn patients are disowned by their own
family due to social stigma attached to the patients and the
expensive cost of the treatment. Without proper social
reintegration support patients at times tend to alienate
themselves from the society. Therefore we should
encourage them to step outside and participate in all the
activities that they can. Following are few important ways
to enable social reintegration of the acid burn patients.30,43
Provide Shelter to the acid burn patients:
Acid burn patients may need to travel to different cities and
hospitals due to various surgery needs. In many cases they
cannot afford shelter for themselves and their family
members at these locations. They should be provovided
shelter during the treatment course and also after that.
Occupational training:
We should help acid burn patients to become financially
independent as it would help in reinstalling confidence in
them. With proper occupational training they can work and
earn money for themselves and their family. This would
help them in building up their self esteem and motivates
them to look ahead in life.43
Education support:
Several acid burn patients come from very weaker section
of the society and they may not have enough education.
Providing educational support would open new
opportunities for these patients and also makes their
chances of rehabilitation better.43
Society support:
Our society needs to be mature and progressive and people
should look and think beyond the mere physical
appearance. Instead of hiding their children from acid burn
patients, they should make them understand that it happens
to some unfortunate people and they should not be scared
and run away from them. People should help them, talk to
them and smile at them.30,43
5. Reference
[1] "Cambodian victim on her acid attack". BBC
News. 2010-03-21. Archived from the original on
25 March 2010. Retrieved 2016, March 23.
Apexa B Patel et al, IJMPR,2016, 4(4): 231-236 CODEN (USA): IJMPMW | ISSN: 2321-2624
International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research 235
[2] Karmakar, R.N. Forensic Medicine and
Toxicology. Academic Publishers.2003. ISBN 81-
87504-69-2.
[3] http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2011/1
1/afghan-sisters-hurt-acid-attack-rejected-
proposal.html. Retrieved 2016, March 2.
[4] http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-19/news/gl-
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