Could This Be a Chemical Burn?
Age: 34 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 6 inches Weight: 180 pounds Ethnicity: Caucasian Symptoms Duration: 14 days Affected Area: Both hands Patient History: 34-year-old female with a medical history of dysphasia and various gastrointestinal issues. Current Medications: Being treated with Zosyn and Bactrim. About two weeks ago, while cleaning the bathroom using "Scrubbing Bubbles Foam Bathroom Spray," I did not utilize gloves. The following day, I noticed my hands were turning red and peeling. Since that initial observation, the condition has steadily worsened and become more persistent. I am experiencing a burning sensation in my hands, which feel hot and extremely dry. The discomfort is reminiscent of having a lighter passed over my skin. In an attempt to alleviate the symptoms, I have tried several treatments, including 1% Hydrocortisone, 2% Mupirocin (which I already had at home), Aquaphor, and TubbyTodd's unscented ointment, yet none have provided relief. I wore a ring on the day of the incident, but after removing it, I still notice a red mark and peeling in that area. I am uncertain whether this issue stems from a chemical burn or eczema, and I am unsure if it warrants an urgent care visit, especially since my primary care physician is unavailable until August 5th. The same goes for my dermatologist. I have included a picture from the first day as well as a recent photo; my right hand exhibits the same type of burn in a similar location.
Answers (1)
7/19/2025, 6:20:47 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort from a reaction on your hands, likely related to your exposure to a cleaning product. Given your symptoms and the duration, it's possible that this could be a chemical burn or an irritant dermatitis. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider and steps you can take:
Main Points:
- Your symptoms may suggest a chemical burn or irritant dermatitis from cleaning products.
- The burning sensation, redness, and peeling are concerning and warrant careful management.
- There are specific self-care strategies to help alleviate discomfort.
Explanation:
Chemical burns can occur when skin comes in contact with irritants, especially if they contain strong cleaning agents. Given that you used a bathroom cleaner and didn't wear gloves, your skin may have reacted to the chemicals. Symptoms such as redness, peeling, and a burning sensation are common in such cases. The absence of relief from over-the-counter creams suggests that a simple anti-inflammatory treatment may not suffice and that the skin barrier is likely compromised.
Next Steps:
-
Immediate Care:
- Avoid further exposure: Stop using the cleaning product that may have caused the reaction and avoid any further irritants (like scented soaps, hot water, or other chemicals).
- Cool compresses: Apply cool, damp cloths to your hands for 15-20 minutes several times a day to soothe irritation.
- Moisturize frequently: Use thick, fragrance-free emollients (like Aquaphor or Eucerin) to help restore the skin barrier. Apply immediately after washing your hands and several times throughout the day.
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Assess for Infection: Check the affected areas for signs of infection (increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus). If you notice these signs, it may be necessary to seek care more urgently.
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Symptom Monitoring:
- Keep track of how the symptoms evolve. If redness and peeling continue to worsen or if new symptoms arise, such as blisters or severe pain, it may become more urgent to seek medical attention.
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Follow Up: Once you're able, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or a dermatologist for further evaluation and tailored treatment.
If the discomfort becomes severe or unmanageable, or if any signs of infection are noted, it's advisable to seek immediate medical care. I hope this provides clarity and support as you manage your symptoms. Please remember to prioritize your self-care!
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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WBC: 5.8 × 10⁹/L (SHOWS IMPROVEMENT) - **RBC: 2.93 × 10¹²/L** (IMPROVED but still low) - **Hemoglobin: 72 g/L** (SHOWS IMPROVEMENT but still low) - Platelets: 223 × 10⁹/L (BACK TO NORMAL) - Neutrophils: 30.0% - Lymphocytes: 64.8% - Monocytes: 4.6% ### Biochemistry (January 28, 2026): - Total protein level: 67 g/L (slightly deficient) - Creatinine: 20.7 μmol/L - **Total Bilirubin: 242 μmol/L** (STILL HIGH - unchanged) - **Direct Bilirubin: 142 μmol/L** (VERY HIGH) - **ALT: 50 IU/mL** (DRASTICALLY LOWER from >1000!) --- ## OVERVIEW OF PROGRESS OVER 6 MONTHS | Parameter | August 2025 | January 2026 | Change | |------------------|-------------|---------------|--------------------------| | **Hemoglobin** | 69 g/L | 72 g/L | ↗ Slight improvement | | **RBC** | 2.1 | 2.93 | ↗ Improved | | **ALT** | >1000 | 50 | ✓✓ MAJOR IMPROVEMENT | | **Bilirubin** | 245 | 242 | → Unchanged (still elevated) | | **Portal vein** | 6.1 mm | 3.9 mm (US) | ↗ Decreased | | **Platelets** | 403 | 223 | ↘ Normalized | | **Shunt size** | 9.9 mm | 9.9 mm | → No Change | --- ## CURRENT SITUATION (February 2026 - 7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.