| Mr. Ibrahem/Hydrofluoric acid burn | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hydrofluoric acid toxicity |
 | |
| A hydrofluoric acid burn of the hand | |
| Specialty | Toxicology |
| Symptoms | Severe pain at the site of exposure[1] |
| Complications | electrolyte, heart, lung, and neurological problems[1] |
| Usual onset | Immediate or delayed[1] |
| Causes | Hydrofluoric acid[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on history of exposure and symptoms[2] |
| Treatment | Removing contaminated clothing, washing with water, calcium gluconate[1] |
| Frequency | Rare[1] |
A hydrofluoric acid burn is a chemical burn from hydrofluoric acid.[1] Where it contacts the skin it results in significant pain, swelling, redness, and skin breakdown.[1][2] If the fumes are breathed in swelling of the upper airway and bleeding may occur.[2] Complications can include electrolyte, heart, lung, kidney, and neurological problems.[1][2]
Most exposures occur at work.[2] With concentrations less than 7%, onset of symptoms may not occur for hours while with concentrations greater than 15% onset of symptoms is nearly immediate.[1] Diagnosis should including blood tests for calcium, potassium, and magnesium along with an electrocardiogram.[1]
Initial treatment of exposure involves removing contaminated clothing and washing with large amount of water over at least 30 minutes.[1] Other measures include applying calcium gluconate cream.[1] It is estimated that about a thousand cases occur a year.[1] Most people affected are adult males.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Schwerin, DL; Hatcher, JD (January 2019). "Hydrofluoric Acid Burns". StatPearls. PMID 28722859.
- ^ a b c d e Wang, X; Zhang, Y; Ni, L; You, C; Ye, C; Jiang, R; Liu, L; Liu, J; Han, C (December 2014). "A review of treatment strategies for hydrofluoric acid burns: current status and future prospects". Burns. 40 (8): 1447–57. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.04.009. PMID 24946967.