Hydrofluoric Acid Burns

Abstract

Hydrofluoric acid (HFA) burns have been occurring with ever-increasing frequency due to the wide use of HFA in industrial fields, such as electronics and semiconductor industries. HFA is one of the strongest inorganic acids and is capable of producing extremely serious and progressively destructive skin burns, with potential serious systemic effects and even death. It is therefore of great importance that clinicians understand the unique characteristics of such burns and the fundamentals of their treatment. Herein we aim to present the clinical features of HFA burns, histopathological studies using guinea pigs and several therapeutic methodologies along with 4 cases of HFA burns we experienced, showing the importance of early initial treatment.