Hydrocarbon contact injuries

Cutaneous injury caused by exposure to gasoline and other hydrocarbons is a clinical entity with potentially life-threatening effects. We report four cases of such injury. One patient developed full-thickness skin loss following gasoline immersion, and another developed severe systemic complications following contact with a carburetor cleaning solvent. Initial therapy should consist of removal of solvent-containing clothing and extensive lavage or soaking with water, followed by wound care that is generally similar to that used in the treatment of partial-thickness burns. In most cases this includes debridement, topical antimicrobial agents, and dressing changes. Severe pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, and hepatic complications may accompany hydrocarbon absorption, particularly in cases involving gasolines containing lead additives. Therefore immediate surgical debridement should be considered if there is suspicion of continued absorption of toxic compounds from the wound.