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Chemical burn with cresol intoxication and multiple organ failure
1Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Summary
Immediate water irrigation is crucial for chemical burns, but cresol is a dangerous exception. This case report details a severe cresol burn leading to organ failure, successfully treated with intensive care.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Immediate water irrigation is the standard first aid for chemical burns.
- Certain chemicals, like cresol, pose unique risks and may not be safely managed with water alone.
Observation:
- A case of a 40% total body surface area (TBSA) chemical burn caused by cresol is presented.
- The patient subsequently developed systemic intoxication and multiple organ failure.
Findings:
- Despite the severity, the patient survived following intensive general supportive treatment.
- Key interventions included repeated hemodialysis and comprehensive wound care.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical exception of cresol burns to the standard water irrigation protocol.
- Demonstrates the potential for severe systemic toxicity and multi-organ failure from cresol exposure.
- Emphasizes the importance of specialized management, including hemodialysis, for severe cresol chemical burns.