Illustrated case report of phenol exposure

Phenol 3.5 out of 5 stars Phenol Toxicity Following Cutaneous Exposure to Creolin®:A Case Report. Vearrier D et al. J Med Toxicol 2015 Jun;11:227-231. Abstract This paper is worth looking at for the excellent color photographs of the partial thickness skin burns induced by exposure to Creolin®, which contains carbolic acid (phenol), sodium hydroxide, and isopropanol. A 9-year-old girl was brought to the emergency department because of respiratory distress and unresponsiveness. Symptoms came on quickly and started within 4 minutes of the mother pouring 8 oz Creolin® over the patients hair in an attempt to get rid of head lice. Some liquid made contact with the girl’s neck, back, shoulder, and upper arm. On arrival at hospital the patient was intubated because of decreased level of consciousness. Exam showed erythema and hyper pigmentation over areas that contact the liquid. External decontamination was accomplished by sponging with soap and water. Brief runs of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia were treated with lidocaine. Endoscopy did not find any GI lesions, and the paper was extubated within 12 hours of exposure. Ultimately, 17% body surface area partial thickness burns were documented. Many of these areas desquamated after several days. When the patient was seen again in the emergency department 2 years after this incident, there no residual scarring was seen. Some points from the paper: Phenol is caustic, causes coagulative necrosis, and is rapidly absorbed ...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical coagulative necrosis creolin phenol surface burn Source Type: news