Clinical study of hydrofluoric acid burn

Cho, Bo Hyun; Kim, Kea Jeung; Kang, Hyung Jai

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hydrofluoric acid burns are occuring with ever-increiisir g frequency due to the wide use of this acid in industrial fields, such as electronics and semiconductor i idustries.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of thie study was to evaluate the clinical charateristics of hydrofluoric acid burn. This study will give basic information of hydrofluoric acid burn to the dermatologists who are not familiar with hydrofluoric acid. METHOD: Twenty-two patient who were diagnosed as having hydroiluiiric acid burns at koryo General Hospital(1986-1993) were irraluated clinical)y. Forteen were malc ar d eight were female, most of them were in their third decade.
RESULTS
The results are sumrnurised as follows 1. Latent periods were variabie from 30 min. to 3 days. Most patients recognized their chemical burn several hours after exposure. 2. Foot & sole (9 cases) and fingers (7 cases) were most frequently in olved. In 7 cases, nails were also involved. 3. Pain was the most. commori iuobjective symptom. 4. Skin lesions showed erytherna, erythematous swelling, erosion, bulla., necrosis, pigmentation and crust, formation, progressii ely. 5. Treatment Wet dressing with Hyami-solution and topical application of ai tibiotics or steroidointment were sufficient in mild case. In severe cases, intralesional injection of calcium glucoante was perfirmed. Debridement was also performed after the progn ssion of tissue damage stopped. Nails were extracted in cases involving nails.
CONCLUSION
Hydrofluoric acid burn is characterized clinically by severc progessive tissue destruction and excruciating pain. Dermatologists need to be aware of the clinical features of hydroclucric acid burn and its proper treatment.