Alkali Burns of the Skin Associated with Wet Cement (Cement Burns)

 

Mechanism: exposure to aqueous calcium hydroxide, with pH > 12

 

Risk factors:

(1) direct skin contact without personal protection

(2) prolonged contact (more than 1-2 hours)

(3) novice in handling concrete

(4) failure to immediately rinse the skin after contact

 

Clinical features:

(1) intense pain several hours after direct skin contact with wet cement

(2) second or third degree burn, usually over the lower extremities (especially the knees) and hands

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) contact dermatitis to chromium, cobalt or other sensitizers in the concrete (can be tested by patch testing)

(2) friction burns secondary to abrasion

(3) exothermic reaction