Studies on the treatment of hydrofluoric acid burn

Changes in serum and tissue and urinary levels of fluoride, calcium and other biochemical consequences were investigated in rats after experimental hydrofluoric acid (HF) burns, to obtain adequate method of emergency treatment for the injury. Increases in ionized fluoride and decreases in total and ionized calcium, in the sera were observed after contact with HF. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were observed over a 24 hour period. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were elevated in the sera taken within 24 hours after burn and fell to reference range once the calcium concentration had been raised. Electrocardiographic changes including severe bradycardia were observed. These results indicate that an HF skin burn results in systemic fluoride poisoning followed by hypocalcemia, hypersecretion of PTH, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and other electrolytes imbalance. Flushing with running water was effective for HF burns. By applying 2.5% calcium gluconate jelly, concentrations of fluoride in the urine and the tissues surrounding the injured region were reduced. Thus, the present results proved that the irrigation with running water and the jelly applications was evaluated as the most effective therapy among various methods tested for the HF burn.