Clinical Case of Hydrofluoric Acid Burn and Overview of Literature. Case Report and Review

Abstract

We hereby report the case of a 31 years old male patient who attended our Accident and Emergency unit in May2022 complaining of pain and chemical burns on the distal phalanx of the five digits of the right hand. He reportedthat approximately 24 hours earlier, while cleaning the hull of a boat, his hand had been splashed with a cleaningsolution that contained hydrofluoric acid 10%. He had immediately rinsed his hand with water. Around 24 hoursafter the incident he began to develop blisters and increasing pain. On clinical examination, the patient presenteddeep burns and edema on volar and dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx of the right five digits .He presented a lightlydecreased capillary refill, but had normal pulses and sensation. The US scan showed the integrity of the digitalarteries and veins, as the flow was preserved. The patient was accurately and thoroughly irrigated with salinesolution. Full blood count, renal and hepatic function tests were performed. Ecg and abg were carried out. All testswere normal. Calcium gluconate was injected locally as per guidelines .One day later, the severe pain subsided aswell as the wounds and edema improved moderately.