Hydrofluoric acid burns of the hands: a case report and suggested management

Hydrofluoric acid is a strong inorganic acid. It is used commercially in a number of industrial settings. Injuries sustained from this acid are infrequent and the management of such cases is therefore not well known. Tissue destruction caused by this acid is rapid and severely painful and may result in disfigurement if treatment is not instituted promptly. Methods of management of hydrofluoric acid burns are still controversial and no single type of therapy has yet been determined. The patient was managed according to the guideline in the literature, but, in the presence of severe digital oedema, intra-arterial infusion of gluconate was performed. This resulted in rapid relief of pain and prevention of continuing tissue destruction.