Effects of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and polyethylene glycol/industrial methylated spirits in the treatment of acute phenol burns.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of water rinse with those of isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol with industrial methylated spirits, or ethanol on cutaneous phenol burns.


METHODS
Controlled trial with all animals receiving all treatments applied to different cutaneous phenol burn sites.


METHODS
Swine weighing 9 to 18 kg.


METHODS
In phase 1, each burn site was treated with water rinse for zero, one, or five minutes combined with either isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol with industrial methylated spirits, ethanol, or no other treatment. Biopsies of treatment sites were done at 30 minutes and at 48 hours. In phase 2, a pilot study, the effect of isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol with industrial methylated spirits, or water treatment on serum phenol levels was noted in animals with 5%, 10%, and 15% body surface area burns.


RESULTS
In phase 1, on histological examination of biopsy specimens, significant differences in tissue damage occurred among the groups (P < .05). Isopropyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with industrial methylated spirits were the most efficacious treatments; the duration of water rinse had no significant effect. In phase 2, the systemic absorption of phenol may be greater with water treatment than with isopropyl alcohol treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Isopropyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with industrial methylated spirits are equally effective in the amelioration of phenol burns of less than 5% total surface area. The wider availability of isopropyl alcohol makes it potentially the most useful treatment for these small burns. Further studies of its risks are needed.
Hunter
D M
DM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Timerding
B L
BL
Leonard
R B
RB
McCalmont
T H
TH
Schwartz
E
E
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000432:Methanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013552:Swine; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D010636:Phenols; D000431:Ethanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000433:1-Propanol; D000432:Methanol