What is the treatment for a Cypress Spurge burn?

Treatment for Cypress Spurge Burns

For Cypress Spurge burns, immediate treatment should include cooling the affected area with clean running water for 5-20 minutes, removing contaminated clothing, and covering the burn with a clean, non-adherent dressing with antibiotic ointment to promote healing and reduce infection risk. 1

Initial Management

1. Stop the burning process immediately:

   • Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry
   • Irrigate the affected area with clean running water (15-25°C) for 5-20 minutes 1
   • Do NOT apply ice directly to the burn as this can worsen tissue damage 1

2. Pain management:

   • Implement multimodal analgesia based on pain severity 2, 1
   • For mild to moderate pain: acetaminophen or NSAIDs
   • For severe pain: consider titrated intravenous ketamine combined with other analgesics 2

3. Wound care:

   • Leave blisters intact to improve healing and reduce pain 1
   • Apply a clean, non-adherent dressing (such as Telfa) 1
   • For superficial burns, apply a greasy emollient (50% white soft paraffin with 50% liquid paraffin) 1
   • For partial-thickness burns, consider antibiotic ointment to prevent infection 1

Burn Severity Assessment

Assess burn depth and calculate Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) to determine severity:

• Superficial (first-degree): Only epidermal layer involved; treat with first-aid techniques and OTC pain relievers 3
• Partial-thickness (second-degree): Extends into dermis; requires advanced dressings 3
• Full-thickness (third-degree): Involves entire dermal layer; requires immediate referral to burn center 3

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical care for:

• Burns on face, hands, feet, or genitalia
• Full-thickness burns

• 10% TBSA in children

• 20% TBSA in adults 1

Ongoing Care

• Monitor the wound for signs of infection (increased pain, redness, swelling, purulent discharge)
• Change dressings as recommended by healthcare provider
• Continue pain management as needed
• Healing typically occurs within 7-14 days with minimal scarring if infection is prevented 1

Important Cautions

• Do NOT break blisters intentionally 1
• Do NOT use home remedies or butter on burns 1
• Do NOT apply ice directly to the burn area 1
• Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome (increased pain, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness) 1

Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) contains a toxic milky sap that can cause chemical burns when it contacts skin. The treatment approach follows standard burn care protocols, with particular attention to thorough irrigation to remove any remaining plant sap from the skin.