Korean J Dermatol.
2006 May;44(5):586-588.
A Case of Cement Burn
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. knderma@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
- Cement is increasingly used in the construction industry, however the occurrence of cement burns has rarely been reported. Exposure to wet cement may cause severe alkaline and thermal burns due to the exothermic reaction of calcium oxide with water which forms calcium hydroxide. Furthermore, alkalinity of calcium hydroxide in wet cement, combined with the effect of pressure and occlusion against skin, may result in cement burn. We herein report a case of cement burn in a 42-year-old male, who had wet cement trapped in his boots and presented with 3rd degree burns on both lower legs. He was treated with wet dressings and the burns healed after two weeks of treatment.
