14 CACHO, Patrice Dianne G.

4B-PH
36 MORON, Rey Sebastian S. PHARCHM 5 LEC
4B-PH

CORROSIVES/CAUSTICS

I. BACKGROUND
- group of chemicals with the capacity to
cause tissue injury on contact by a
chemical reaction
- corrosives and caustics are synonyms,
both mean ‘something that eats away’.
- generation of heat contributes to tissue
injuries; nevertheless, they aren't
considered classic hyperthermic burns
- Mechanism:
• extraction of water from tissues
• coagulation of cellular proteins
• conversion on Hb to Haematin
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II. CHEMISTRY
III. MECHANISM OF TOXICITY
Alkali ingestion: Causes liquefaction necrosis.
This process includes protein dissolution,
collagen destruction, fat saponification, cell
membrane emulsification, submucosal vascular
thrombosis and cell death.3 Acid ingestion:
Causes coagulation necrosis. In this process,
hydrogen (H+) ions desiccate epithelial cells
producing an eschar. This process leads to
edema, erythema, mucosal sloughing,
ulceration and necrosis of tissues

IV. Acids cause an immediate coagulation-

type necrosis that creates an eschar,
which tends to self-limit further damage.
V. In contrast, alkalis (eg, Drano) cause a
liquefactive necrosis with saponification
and continued penetration into deeper
tissues, resulting in extensive damage.

VI. CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

VII. RELATED POISONS
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY