Aerosol burn

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
aerosol frostbite of the skin
Other namesAerosol-induced frostbite
Aerosol frostbite to the hand
SpecialtyEmergency medicine

An aerosol frostbite of the skin is an injury to the body caused by the pressurized gas within an

aerosol spray cooling quickly, with the sudden drop in temperature sufficient to cause frostbite to the applied area.[1] Medical studies have noted an increase of this practice, known as "frosting", in pediatric and teenage patients.[2][3]

Adiabatic expansion and/or evaporative cooling (with a low boiling temperature) causes the gas to rapidly cool on exit from the aerosol applier. In freeze sprays, a controlled amount of this cooling is useful. Uncontrolled cooling, however, can result in freeze burns to the skin. According to controlled laboratory experiments, the gas from a typical deodorant spray can reduce skin temperature by up to sixty degrees Celsius.[2]

The form of injury is freezing of the skin, a type of frostbite. It is highly advised for those who develop frostbite to seek medical attention.[4]

In rare cases aerosol-induced burns can be severe enough to necessitate

skin grafting.[5]

Signs and symptoms

An example of postinflammatory hypopigmentation (the light white patches) about one year after a severe aerosol burn.

Depending on the duration of exposure aerosol-induced frostbite can vary in depth. Most injuries of this type only affect the

scarring.[6] When the skin thaws, pain and severe discomfort can occur in the affected area.[7] There may be a smell of aerosol products such as deodorant around the affected area, the injury may itch
or be painful, the skin may freeze and become hardened, blisters may form on the area, and the flesh can become red and swollen.

Causes

The most common cause of aerosol burns is patients' spraying deodorants for prolonged periods of time in close proximity to their skin. This practice is more common in younger persons such as teenagers and can be referred to as "frosting" or having a "frosty". Injuries such as these are often

Tide Pod challenge.[9][10]

However, some do it due to influence by their peers as a way of "impressing" them, with the "Aerosol Challenge" gaining popularity alongside the "

Chubby Bunny
" contests as trends in dangerous peer-pressure-induced self-harm.

Unintentional

A person can cause frostbite by accidental prolonged contact, using an aerosol on one place for too long.

dermatological effects. In rarer cases aerosol burns are reported to have been caused by air fresheners and other compressed aerosol canisters exploding.[12][13]

Intentional and abuse

huffing as a means of intoxication. When inhaled, aerosols can cause the same frostbite as on other parts of the body.[14] The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has published various resources on the internet warning of the effects of this abuse.[15][16][17]

Some aerosol burns are intentionally self-inflicted, the reasons being emotional/psychological. Household aerosol products such as air fresheners and deodorants can be a convenient, easily available means to satisfy the compulsions.[18]

Treatment

Various methods of treatment are used, depending greatly on the length of exposure and other factors. There are documented cases using both conservative and invasive treatments, including skin grafting and/or the application of nonadhesive dressing alongside

painkillers
.

In the case of self-harm induced injury the underlying mental health aspects should be treated as with all self-inflicted injuries.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Brrrr! Aerosol sprays are a silly way to get frostbite - The Body Odd". Bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-07. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  2. ^
    S2CID 10841905. Archived
    from the original on 2015-06-27. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  3. ^ "Deodorant burns on the increase - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2007-07-10. Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  4. ^ "Login | Electrolube - the Solutions People" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  5. ^
    S2CID 900852
    .
  6. ^ "Frostbite: Complications". MayoClinic. Archived from the original on 2012-12-26. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  7. ^ "Frostbite: Symptoms". nlm.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  8. S2CID 3701270
    .
  9. ^ Miller, Ryan W. (May 9, 2018). "'Deodorant challenge': Are teens really burning their arms to go viral?". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  10. ^ Knudson, Annalise (2018-04-03). "Social media challenges: 8 dangerous teen trends". silive. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  11. PMID 21209810
    .
  12. PMID 22174972
    .
  13. PMID 9677032.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  14. PMID 10630273
    .
  15. ^ "Inhalants". Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  16. ^ "Inhalant Abuse is on the Rise". www.kidsgrowth.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  17. ^ "Inhalant Abuse by Children". Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  18. S2CID 7265071
    .
  19. ^ "About Cancer". 2017-08-30. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2012-10-28.

External links

Look up burn or frostbite in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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