An egg heated in a microwave oven may become superheated and can explode. If the egg is close to the face then facial burns and eye injury can occur.
An egg can be safely cooked in a microwave oven if the shell is removed and if the yolk sac has been pierced by a pin.
An egg still in shell (including a hard boiled egg) or an egg with an intact yolk sac can explode after being heated in a microwave oven.
Injuries may include:
(1) skin burns about the face (forehead, malar regions, eyelids, node, periorbital region)
(2) burn of the cornea or ocular surface
(3) shell fragments into the eye
Some injuries may be associated with decreased visual acuity.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
