Chemical injury to the tongue following contact with sodium hydroxide drain cleaner.
Solid sodium hydroxide compounds are used to unclog drains. In Turkey, these agents are easily available and commonly used by housewives. They are sold in weak bags and usually stored within these bags. We present the case of an elderly woman with dementia who developed severe alkaline tongue burn and edema after unintentional short contact with solid sodium hydroxide drain cleaner. Official legislation for safety packing in Turkey will lead to reduction in the incidence of accidental caustic injuries.
Yanturali
Sedat
S
Department of Emergency Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, 35340 Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
Yaka
Elif
E
Ersoy
Gurkan
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002424:Caustics / Q000633:toxicity*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology
D002424:Caustics; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide