From the Research
Immediate medical attention is crucial for hydrofluoric acid exposure, and treatment should begin with thorough decontamination and the administration of calcium gluconate to neutralize fluoride ions and prevent tissue damage. Symptoms of hydrofluoric acid exposure vary by concentration and include pain, redness, and burning at the exposure site, which may be delayed for dilute solutions 1. More severe exposures cause tissue destruction, deep penetrating pain, and potential systemic effects including hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and cardiac arrhythmias 2.
Symptoms and Treatment
- Pain, redness, and burning at the exposure site
- Tissue destruction and deep penetrating pain in more severe exposures
- Systemic effects: hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and cardiac arrhythmias
- Treatment:
- Thorough decontamination: remove contaminated clothing and flush the affected area with water for at least 15-30 minutes
- Calcium gluconate: applied as a 2.5% gel to affected skin, injected as a 10% solution for deeper burns, or administered intravenously for systemic toxicity 3, 4
- Magnesium sulfate for electrolyte abnormalities
- Continuous cardiac monitoring for significant exposures
Important Considerations
- Delayed symptoms can occur with dilute solutions, emphasizing the need for prompt medical attention regardless of initial symptoms 1
- Calcium gluconate is the critical specific treatment, as it binds with fluoride ions to prevent tissue damage and neutralize their toxic effects 3, 4
- The effectiveness of treatment depends on prompt initiation, highlighting the importance of immediate medical attention for hydrofluoric acid exposure 5