Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

Lesson 3: Treating Blood, Choking, and Blister Agent Casualties

3-5. IDENTIFY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BLISTER AGENTS

The signs and symptoms exhibited by a casualty exposed to blister agents may vary depending upon the type of agent used and the route by which the agent was absorbed. Moist areas of the body are highly susceptible to blister agent.

a. Skin.

(1) Pruritus (itching), erythema (redness), and blisters (in stated sequence).

(a) Low vapor concentration may only cause skin damage resembling a sunburn. Heavy vapor concentration or liquid agent cause blisters to form.

 

(b) Blisters may not form for several hours after exposure.

(2) Pain. Phosgene oxime (CX) and lewisite (L) cause immediate and intense pain. With mustard (HD), pain may be delayed 30 minutes to 6 hours.

b. Eyes.

(1) Photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light).

 

(2) Gritty feeling.

 

(3) Pain. (May range from very mild with mustard gas to severe with lewisite.)

 

(4) Tearing.

 

(5) Blepharospasm (involuntary spasm of the eyelids).

c. Respiratory Tract. Secondary pneumonia or pulmonary edema may result from damage to the respiratory system.

(1) Coughing.

 

(2) Sore or irritated throat.

 

(3) Frothy sputum.

 

(4) Phlegm.

d. Systemic. A drop in white blood cells may result in fever and infection. Lewisite may cause necrosis of the liver.

(1) Malaise ("punk" or weak feeling).

 

(2) Headache.

 

(3) Nausea.

 

(4) Vomiting.

 

(5) Severe burn from agent.