View source for Cement burn

==Background==
{{Skin anatomy background images}}
[[File:Cement mixer trucks in the Philippines Highway 33.jpg|thumb|Pouring cement and man with wearing protective equipment.]]
*Widely used in construction, under recognized as a caustic agent able to cause severe skin injury
*Calcium hydroxide very strong corrosive alkali
*pH of 10-12 that can increase to pH 14 during hydrolysis/setting process

==Clinical Features==
*Most often on lower legs/knees given nature of work
**Kneeling down in cement, walking in cement without protection, spilling over top of work boots 
*Symptom onset several hours after exposure - may not start to feel until 3-4 hours after initial exposure
*Can have partial to full thickness burn

==Differential Diagnosis==
*Lye Burn
{{Caustic burn types}}

==Evaluation==
*Causes a liquefactive necrosis via protein denaturation (not a thermal burn)

==Management==
*Copious water irrigation for at least 30 mins
*May cause circumferential burns
*Counsel about skin protection in future if occupational 

==Disposition==
*As can look benign in first few hours, admission, may need burn center if full thickness, circumferential, involving feet

{{Burn center transfer criteria}}

==See Also==
*[[Burns]]

==External Links==

==References==
*Spoo J, Elsner P. Cement burns: a review 1960-2000. Contact Dermatitis 2001; 45:68.


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[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Dermatology]]
[[Category:Symptoms]]