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What Causes Increasing Pain In Fingertips After Accidentally Spilling Diluted HFA Containing Cleaner?
Question: Was using a cleaner today which contains Hydrofluoric and Phosphoric acids. Some leaked into my gloves. I have washed my hands and used moisturizer on them, but the pain in my fingertips continues to increase. It has now been four hours since exposure. There are no outward signs of burns and no redness. The pain seems to be centered under my fingernails. Suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Burns can have a latent period esp with diluted HFA containing cleaners
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
A skin burn with diluted solutions i.e less than 20% can present with pain and erythema that is delayed in onset. Delay of recognition can result in more severe burns. With hydrofluoric exposure, erythema may not be present and there may be blue green discoloration with pain especially in more concentrated solutions or if there is vascular damage. The exposed area should be assessed in an ER ideally and washed immediately with sodium bicarbonate solution. Magnesium oxide paste should be applied topically. Calcium gluconate jelly or infiltrate or IV administration can be done based on severity. Please go to an ER near you for proper assessment.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Burns can have a latent period esp with diluted HFA containing cleaners
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
A skin burn with diluted solutions i.e less than 20% can present with pain and erythema that is delayed in onset. Delay of recognition can result in more severe burns. With hydrofluoric exposure, erythema may not be present and there may be blue green discoloration with pain especially in more concentrated solutions or if there is vascular damage. The exposed area should be assessed in an ER ideally and washed immediately with sodium bicarbonate solution. Magnesium oxide paste should be applied topically. Calcium gluconate jelly or infiltrate or IV administration can be done based on severity. Please go to an ER near you for proper assessment.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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