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An unusual cause of caustic burns
Author(s) -
Knight Robert J,
McWilliams Tania,
Reeler Dawn,
Whan Liz,
Wood Fiona
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja11.10052
Subject(s) - referral , caustic (mathematics) , medicine , resorcinol , dermatology , chemistry , nursing , organic chemistry , physics , mathematical physics
Two children in far northern Western Australia tattooed their arms with maangga berries (Grevillea pyramidalis ssp. leucadendron), which resulted in unintentional, caustic, partial thickness skin burns requiring specialist burn care. An understanding of the chemistry of the burn agent (5-n-alkyl resorcinol), appropriate first aid management and referral, and possible physiological sequelae are essential for optimal medical management and preventive community education.