[Skin burns, necrosis and ulcers caused by wet cement, ready-mixed concrete and lime. 8 cases]

Skin burns and caustic ulcers caused by wet cement, due to calcium hydroxyde, are rarely reported in the literature. They occur mostly among amateur cement users.

We report seven cases of skin burns, necrosis and ulcerations after use of wet cement and ready-mixed concrete, and one case of caustic ulcers induced by wet lime.

Even short skin contacts to wet cement or concrete may induce extensive lesions in some cases. However, we were not able to incriminate with certainty any special concrete additives which could increase skin penetration of calcium hydroxyde. Warning notices about the danger of skin contact should be prominent on sacked cement. When ready-mixed concrete is delivered, the purchaser should be handed a note explaining the risk of kneeling in wet concrete and the importance of protective measures. This may probably contribute to reduce the frequency of those accidents.