0.4.5 DERMAL EXPOSURE A) OVERVIEW 1) MANAGEMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE TOXICITY a) Thoroughly irrigate skin immediately after exposure. Patients with early decontamination do well. Patients with pain should be treated with topical calcium therapy. TOPICAL - Treat with calcium gluconate or carbonate gel (1 g calcium gluconate in 40 g (about 40 mL) water-soluble lubricant = 2.5% gel;alternative is 10 10-g tablets crushed to fine powder + 20 mL water-soluble lubricant mixed into a slurry; apply thin coat to burn, then place hand in glove containing 10 mL slurry for 4 hours). SUBCUTANEOUS - Inject 0.5 mL/cm(2) with 10% calcium gluconate for topical treatment failures (not commonly used). b) DO NOT USE CALCIUM CHLORIDE - Calcium chloride is irritating to the tissues and may cause injury. 2) MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE TOXICITY a) Patients with pain not responding to topical calcium can be treated with regional venous or arterial perfusion. These methods are particularly effective for HF exposures involving the digits. BIER BLOCK - Inject IV 10 to 40 mL calcium gluconate in 50 mL normal saline for 20 minutes. ARTERIAL - 10 to 20 mL of 10% calcium gluconate in 50 mL D5W. Infuse over 4 hours via radial or brachial artery. Ther arterial catheter may be placed in normal position (not inverted). b) DO NOT USE CALCIUM CHLORIDE - Calcium chloride is irritating to the tissues and may cause injury. 3) DECONTAMINATION a) PREHOSPITAL: For dermal exposure, remove clothing and irrigate skin thoroughly with water. b) HOSPITAL: Irrigate exposed skin. Remove all exposed clothing and jewelry taking necessary precautions to prevent secondary exposure to health care providers. Irrigate exposed areas promptly with copious amounts of water for at least 30 minutes.
0.4.5 DERMAL EXPOSURE A) OVERVIEW 1) MANAGEMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE TOXICITY a) Thoroughly irrigate skin immediately after exposure. Patients with early decontamination do well. Patients with pain should be treated with topical calcium therapy. TOPICAL - Treat with calcium gluconate or carbonate gel (1 g calcium gluconate in 40 g (about 40 mL) water-soluble lubricant = 2.5% gel; alternative is 10 10-g tablets crushed to fine powder + 20 mL water-soluble lubricant mixed into a slurry; apply thin coat to burn, then place hand in glove containing 10 mL slurry for 4 hours). SUBCUTANEOUS - Inject 0.5 mL/cm(2) with 10% calcium gluconate for topical treatment failures (not commonly used). b) DO NOT USE CALCIUM CHLORIDE - Calcium chloride is irritating to the tissues and may cause injury. 2) MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE TOXICITY a) Patients with pain not responding to topical calcium can be treated with regional venous or arterial perfusion. These methods are particularly effective for HF exposures involving the digits. BIER BLOCK - Inject IV 10 to 40 mL calcium gluconate in 50 mL normal saline for 20 minutes. ARTERIAL - 10 to 20 mL of 10% calcium gluconate in 50 mL D5W. Infuse over 4 hours via radial or brachial artery. Ther arterial catheter may be placed in normal position (not inverted). b) DO NOT USE CALCIUM CHLORIDE - Calcium chloride is irritating to the tissues and may cause injury. 3) DECONTAMINATION a) PREHOSPITAL: For dermal exposure, remove clothing and irrigate skin thoroughly with water. b) HOSPITAL: Irrigate exposed skin. Remove all exposed clothing and jewelry taking necessary precautions to prevent secondary exposure to health care providers. Irrigate exposed areas promptly with copious amounts of water for at least 30 minutes.