Template:Caustics background: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:44, 15 May 2020

Substances that cause damage on contact with body surfaces
Degree of injury determined by pH, concentration, volume, duration of contact
Acidic agents cause coagulative necrosis
Alkaline agents cause liquefactive necrosis (considered more damaging to most tissues)
Corrosive agents have reducing, oxidising, denaturing or defatting potential

Accepts protons → free hydroxide ion, which easily penetrates tissue → cellular destruction
- Liquefactive necrosis and protein disruption may allow for deep penetration into surrounding tissues
Examples
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH)
  - Lye present in drain cleaners, hair relaxers
- Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and Ammonia (NH3)
  - Cleaning products such as oven cleaners, toilet cleaner

Proton donor → free hydrogen ion → cell death and eschar formation, which limits deeper involvement
- However, due to pylorospasm and pooling of acid, high-grade gastric injuries are common
  - Mortality rate is higher compared to strong alkali ingestions
Can be systemically absorbed and → metabolic acidosis, hemolysis, AKI
Examples
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
- Found in: auto batteries, drain openers, metal cleaners, swimming pool products, rust remover, nail primer

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 **Liquefactive necrosis and protein disruption may allow for deep penetration into surrounding tissues
 *Examples
-**Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), ammonia (NH3)
+**Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH)
-**Found in: bleach, drain openers, oven cleaners, toilet cleaner, hair relaxers
+***Lye present in drain cleaners, hair relaxers
+**Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and Ammonia (NH3)
+***Cleaning products such as oven cleaners, toilet cleaner
 ====Acids====