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Management of hot tar burn using vitamin E ointment containing petroleum and polyoxyethylene sorbitan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2015

Karen Ng ,
Dawn Dalen  and
David Rhine
Karen Ng
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Dawn Dalen*
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy, Kelowna General Hospital and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
David Rhine
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, BC
*
Department of Pharmacy, Kelowna General Hospital, 2269 Pandosy St., Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2

Abstract

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Tar burns are primarily an occupational hazard associated with the road paving or roofing industry. Management of tar burns requires safe and effective removal of solidified tar from the skin using a dissolution or emulsifying agent to prevent inflicting further injury and pain. We report a case of a patient with tar burns on 10% of his body surface area involving the lower arms bilaterally and splashes to the facial area. The tar was efficiently removed with Webber Vitamin E Ointment without toxicity, irritation, or other complications.

Keywords

tar burntar removalvitamin E ointment

Information

Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 5 , September 2013 , pp. 307 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2013

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