hydrofloric acid burns

HYDROFLUORIC ACID:
--one of the strongest inorganic acids
--can cause significant systemic toxicity due to fluoride poisoning.

--is used mainly for industrial purposes (eg, glass etching, metal cleaning, electronics manufacturing)--may be found in home rust removers.

 
TREATMENT TOOLBOX:
--can be soaked in magnesium hydroxide containing solutions (e.g. Mylanta) or soaked in ice water to help decrease the amount of absorption. 

--decontaminate appropriately and wash with water. 

--apply 2.5% calcium gluconate gel to burn (10% Ca Gluconate solution in 3 times the volume of KY gel) and place hand into latex glove. 

--if pain persists >30 minutes and not on fingers, infiltrate margins of burn with 10% calcium gluconate solution. 

--if severe burns, can inject 10ml of 10% Ca gluconate in 40ml of D5 intra-arterially over 4 hours. 

--repeat as necessary.  For oral, ocular, or inhalation burns, calcium will also have to be given in different concentrations. 

--Consult Toxicology. 

--Treat pain with opioids.


Submitted by T. Boyd.


Reference(s): http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773304-treatment, picture