Magic Erasers seem so good at removing any form of stain or dirt that people sometimes use them on their skin while trying to remove stains or caked-on dirt and debris.
However, if you’re one of the many people who have made this terrible mistake, you’ve likely realized what a bad idea it was and ended up with horrible burns and rashes.
In this article, we’re going to explain if Magic erasers on safe on the skin, and what to do if you make the mistake of using a magic eraser on your skin.
Are Magic Erasers Safe On Skin?
The skin is one of the surfaces that you should never use a magic eraser on as it is not safe.
Although these sponges look like any other sponge, they are actually made of melamine foam having microscopic air bubbles.
This is what gives them their light exfoliating power and makes them so great for removing tough stains.
But when used on the skin, this exfoliation property works like a 2000 grit sandpaper and scratches and sands off parts of the skin cells, resulting in rashes and burns from abrasive friction.
Magic Eraser on Skin! What to Do?
The stinging sensating and harsh burns you get from using a magic eraser on your skin can be quite scary.
However, there is no need to panic as what you have is a friction burn from the abrasive action of the magic eraser and it can, fortunately, be dealt with.
5 Steps to Take If You Have Magic Eraser on Your Skin
To calm down the awful burns that result from making this mistake, ensure you follow the tips we’re going to highlight below:
STEP 1- Examine the Burn
Even though it might be hard to focus on anything other than the horrible pain on your skin you need to examine the state of the burn on your skin. This will let you know how bad the burn is.
If you have extreme blisters or the burn has created extremely deep pitted wounds, you might need to rush to the hospital as some people’s skin tends to have this type of extreme reaction to magic erasers.
However, most people are luckily only going to end up with a first-degree burn that is similar to a rug burn and that can be easily treated at home.
STEP 2- Rinse the Skin with Cold Water
To relieve the pain and redness on the part of the skin that you have used a magic eraser on, rinse the skin with cool water for about 10 minutes.
This will cool the skin temperature down and reduce any additional heat on the area that could make the burn worse. This will help reduce inflammation in the area and help with the burning sensation
While doing this, make sure not to use any soaps or cleansers as the chemicals in them will make your skin sting even more.
Then apply a cold pack to the area for about 10 minutes.
STEP 3- Apply Vaseline/Ointment on the Skin
Once you get that magic eraser on your skin you’ve likely created a nasty wound on the skin and a great way to facilitate wound healing in the area is to apply a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly.
Pat the skin dry with a towel and after about 30 minutes. Vaseline is a great petroleum jelly product you should apply to the area in a thin layer.
Doing this will block moisture loss from the area and keep it moist while aiding with healing any wound and damage you’ve caused to the skin.
You could also use Neosporin or Aquaphor healing ointment in place of Vaseline.
STEP 4- Use a Nonstick Bandage
The painful burn you feel after using a magic eraser on the skin is from the sensitivity of the burn you’ve caused to the skin and while this burn will heal with time, it is important to make sure it doesn’t get infected as that could worsen the situation.
A great way to keep the skin protected from bacteria and possible infection is by applying a bandage.
However, make sure that you are using a loose nonstick bandage as the friction from pulling off the sticky bandages can irritate the area and aggravate the burn.
STEP 5- Manage the Scars
By the next day, apply a thin layer of silicone gel to the area. This will essentially create a hydrated seal, help with healing the skin and manage any scars that may be developing.
Over the next few days, gently clean the skin burn and apply a fresh new layer of healing ointment, silicone gel, and bandage every day.
Continue this process till the burn heals. The skin will heal by itself and be back to normal within 7-10 days.
More Tips If You Have Magic Eraser On Skin
Here are a few more tips for managing other symptoms after getting Magic Eraser burns on the skin:
1- Take a Painkiller (If you have Pain)
The effect of a magic eraser on the skin can be ming numbingly painful, especially if your skin is sensitive.
Taking an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol will help reduce the discomfort and pain that you might be feeling.
2- Wear Loose Clothing
To avoid any further irritation, clothing has to be carefully selected as tight clothing will rub on the skin and cause friction and irritation that can worsen the situation.
Depending on the part of the skin you’ve used the magic eraser on, you will need to ensure you are wearing loose-fitting clothing if the area is going to be covered by clothing.
3- See a Doctor If the Skin Doesn’t Heal after a Week
A magic eraser can do some serious damage to the skin and although the skin will likely heal on its own within a week.
If you notice signs of infections such as worsening pain, swelling, blisters with pus, increasing rash, or another aggravated skin issue, you might require professional medical care.
4- Avoid Sun Exposure / Use Sunscreen
Direct sunlight can sometimes be harsh on the skin and this damaging effect is even worse for the skin you’ve just aggravated with the harsh abrasion of a magic eraser.
While your skin tries to heal over the next few days, you must avoid unnecessary sun exposure in the area where you’ve used the magic eraser as this could cause more inflammation.
The sun damage can also cause the skin to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that would leave you with a terrible scar afterward.
If you do need to expose the skin to the sun, apply sunscreen to keep the area protected from the damaging effects of the sun.
Key Things to Avoid Using (If You Have a Magic Eraser Skin Burn)
When you get a magic eraser on your skin, it typically results in a chaotic situation that involves you scrambling to try a million different things to relieve the pain.
However, there are some things that most people might consider using that will only make things worse and should be avoided.
Here they are:
1- Rubbing alcohol or Hydrogen peroxide
People use Rubbing Alcohol on the skin as it leaves a refreshing feeling and Hydrogen Peroxide is used as a disinfectant for the skin.
However, using these after a Magic Eraser burn on the skin is not recommended.
These will not only sting and make the burn feel ten times worse, but also slow the healing of the burn. Therefore, it is best to avoid using them on the skin in this situation.
2- Lotions
Most lotions have chemicals and fragrances in them that could further irritate the area of the skin where you have the burn, so do not apply lotions and creams on the affected area until the burn is fully healed.
3- Placing Ice Directly on the Skin
While this might seem like a quick and easily accessible way to relieve the burning sensation, this can damage the skin even more as this damages the tissue.
Conclusion
Magic eraser is typically everyone’s go-to handy dandy scrubber, but on the skin, it has damaging effects.
If you’ve found out firsthand just how badly magic erasers can burn the skin and didn’t know what to do, at least now you know how to handle the situation without panicking.
We’ve listed down all the necessary steps to take if you have a Magic eraser burn on your skin, what you should avoid using on the skin, and a few additional tips.
