Expert: Profile Closed - 1/20/2010

Question
Almost a year ago I burned tie tip of my index finger . The skin began dying and pealing like blistered areas . This gradually went all the way up that finger .Next the infection set in , after steroid shots 3 times the infection went away but the peeling has continued across my palm almost to the tip of my middle finger and half way up next finger and thumb. In addition the infection has returned in my index finger and now the middle. What should I do ?

Answer
Hi there, and thanks for your question.

I'm sorry to hear about your injury, especially having sustained chemical burns myself on a couple of occasions!

The main thing I would say is that you need to seek medical treatment asap. Acid burns (especially when compared with caustic burns) do their chemically-specific damage during the first few hours of exposure. The complications you're experience are most probably related to the infection, combined with the effects of the infection on the fragile layer of new skin formed after the injury. Therefore, the subsequent treatment needs general medical expertise, rather than chemical-specific information.

It's really important that you see your physician to determine the extent and best treatment of the infected area.

Another point is that Hydrochloric or Muriatic acid is not very oxidizing, and deep skin burns are relatively rare, compared with other mineral acids; ask your doctor if it is possible that a pre-existing condition (such as eczema) may have had an impact on the course of your injury and your subsequent problems.

Wishing you the best of luck, hope that you recover soon.

George