title: Chromic acid burns: early aggressive excision is the best method to prevent systemic toxicity.
abstract: Chromium poisoning can occur from the cutaneous absorption of chromium from burns that are as small as 1% of the total body surface area. In this case report, we describe a patient with 10% total body surface area burns caused by hot chromic acid. The amount of chromium removed by peritoneal dialysis and the amount of chromium in the urine were estimated, as well as the chromium content in the excised skin, serum, and red blood cells. The extent of chromium load from this type of injury and subsequent risk of systemic poisoning is not predictable, and we therefore believe that systemic toxicity is best prevented by early excision of the burned skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust, Selly Oak Hospital, England.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matey
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gowar
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002840:Chromates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002857:Chromium / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D002840:Chromates; D002857:Chromium; C034944:chromic acid