Chemical burns of the auricle and external auditory canal
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Chemical burns of the auricle and external auditory canal (as well as of other parts of the body) arise from the action of various aggressive substances that cause a local inflammatory reaction in contact with the living tissue, and coagulation of cell proteins and necrosis with considerable concentration and definite exposure. These substances include strong acids, caustic alkalis, soluble salts of some heavy metals, warfare agents for blistering, etc.
[Symptoms of chemical burns of the auricle and external auditory canal
A feature of chemical burns is the need for a longer-lasting exposure that damages them, which in some cases allows the use of neutralizers that can prevent or reduce the damaging effects of chemical attack.
Chemical burns are classified according to the same scheme as thermal burns. With chemical burns of III degree necrosis, both dry and wet, is possible. Dry necrosis is manifested by mummification of affected tissues with a clear delineation of them from unaffected tissues; This type of necrosis is characteristic for the defeat of strong acids.
Wet or colliquated necrosis occurs when affected by caustic alkalis, while the tissues are liquefied and melted without forming a clear demarcation boundary (creeping necrosis).
With defeat by warfare agents, a necrotic process can get a significant spread outside the zone of primary contact with the substance, and phenomena of general-resorptive action of this poisoning substance can be observed.
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Treatment of chemical burns of the ear and external auditory canal
The first aid for chemical burns consists in removing the chemical by washing it off with a large amount of water or neutralizing it with a weak solution of the chemical substance of the opposite action: the acid with a solution of drinking soda or washing off with some shampoo or alkali with a weak solution of acetic or citric acid. Further treatment is carried out in specialized hospitals using the same principles and methods as in thermal burns.