[Chemical and electrical burns].
Chemical burns are less frequent in routine practice, but could be very serious owing to the complexity and severity of their actions. Influx of casualty after a civil disaster (industrial explosion) or military (war or terrorism) is possible. The action of these agents could be prolonged and deep. In addition to the skin, respiratory lesions and general intoxication could be observed. The urgent local treatment rely essentially on prolonged washing. Prevention and adequate emergency care could limit the serious consequences of these accidents. Accidents (thermal burns or electrisations) due to high or low voltage electricity are frequent. The severity is linked with the affected skin but especially with internal lesions, muscular, neurological or cardiac lesions. All cases of electrisation need hospital care. Locally, the lesions are often deep with difficult surgical repairs and often require amputation. Aesthetic and functional sequela are therefore frequent. Secondary complications could appear several months after the accident: cataract, dysesthesia and hypotonia.
Sanchez
Raymond
R
Service des brûlés Groupe hospitalier Pellegrin-CHU 33076 Bordeaux. raymond.sanchez@chu-bordeaux.fr
D002053:Burn Units; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000209:etiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology