title: Orofacial and digital frostbite caused by inhalant abuse.
abstract: Inhalation of volatile substances is a cheap and accessible way for individuals, most commonly teenagers, to ingest mind-altering substances. The adverse effects of using inhalants, including cardiac dysrhythmia, respiratory tract injury, and asphyxiation, can be devastating. Detection often is difficult, but a high degree of suspicion with patterns of perioral, perinasal, and/or digital lesions can help identify use. We report an uncommon case of severe orofacial and digital frostbite initially mistaken for an allergic reaction in a 20-year-old man following intentional inhalation of a commercial air-dusting agent containing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a).
authors.affiliation: 23550 Hawthorne Blvd, Ste 200, Torrance, CA 90505, USA. mattkoehler8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.forename: Camille A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Henninger
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced; D003902:Detergents / Q000633:toxicity*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology*; D005627:Frostbite / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000633:toxicity*; D058545:Inhalant Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult; D004980:Ethane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005466:Fluorocarbons
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; C063006:norflurane; D004980:Ethane; D005466:Fluorocarbons