Citation

Wu ML, Deng JF, Fan JS. Clin. Toxicol. (Phila) 2010; 48(9): 953-955.

Affiliation

Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/15563650.2010.533676

PMID

21171855

Abstract

Background. Although hydrofluoric (HF) acid burns may cause extensive tissue damage, severe systemic toxicity is not common after mild dermal exposure. Case. A 36-year-old worker suffered a first-degree burn of 3% of his total body surface area as a result of being splashed on the right thigh with 20% HF acid. Immediate irrigation and topical use of calcium gluconate gel prevented local injury. However, the patient developed hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, bradycardia, and eventually had asystole at 16 h post-exposure, which were unusual findings. He was successfully resuscitated by administration of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Conclusion. This report highlights a late risk of HF acid dermal exposure.

Language: en