Fatalities following skin exposure to arsenic.
Arsenic is a toxic metal that can cause death following exposure. In an unusual event, seven patients unintentionally applied a 30% arsenic solution to their entire body instead of a benzyl benzoate solution to treat their scabies. Hours later they developed severe skin reactions, including bullae, and were admitted to the hospital with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders. Despite therapeutic interventions, three patients died and the rest were discharged from hospital with neurological sequelae. Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of arsenic in the solution used by patients.
Majid Cheraghali
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. m.cheraghali@bmsu.ac.ir
Haghqoo
Soheila
S
Shalviri
Gloria
G
Shariati
Yaghoub R
YR
Ghassemi
Maleehe
M
Khosravi
Shahram
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012532:Scabies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*
D001151:Arsenic