Exposure of skin to liquid plaster-of-Paris that is setting can result in a thermal burn.
Plaster-of-Paris is prepared by heating gypsum to a very high temperature, resulting in calcium sulfate.
When Plaster-of-Paris is mixed with water there is an exothermic reaction, with release of sufficient heat to cause thermal burns on exposed skin.
A burn can occur when:
(1) attempting to make a casting of a body part by pouring directly onto a skin surface
(2) preparing a wound cast
Risk factors for a burn:
(1) a finger or toe is entrapped in rapidly setting plaster
(2) person sedated or unconscious
(3) peripheral neuropathy with loss of temperature sense
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine