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Burns From Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Part II:

Treatment:

Emergency medical attention should be sought when there is suspicion of poisoning:

If there is skin contact, treatment may include:

  • Removing the contaminated clothing.
  • Rinsing the wound area with copious amount of water.
  • Calcium or magnesium solutions, it can be given in the form of topical gel and may also be given in the form of injection.
  • Pain medication.
  • Monitoring the patient for signs of systemic poisoning.

For swallowing: treatment may include

  • Avoid inducing vomiting.
  • Gastric lavage (inserting a tube to the stomach though the nose to empty the stomach).
  • Pain medication.
  • Endoscopy to visualize the internal organs because of high risk of viscus perforation.
  • Endotracheal intubation to keep the trachea (wind pipe) open.
  • Calcium and magnesium solutions to neutralize the acid.

For inhalation treatment may include:

  • 100% oxygen through a face mask.
  • Intubation for severe injury.
  • Delivering calcium into the lungs through breathing treatments.
  • Pain medication.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.

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