The chemical white phosphorous comes from the common element phosphorous. It is an allotrope of that. One result of white phosphorous is through burning. Deep burns can actually occur. Unfortunately, the reason the burn is so severe is due to the fact that the chemical attaches to the skin and continues to burn. The white phosphorous burns kill more than other burns. It is that severe and deadly.
Like many burns, the same treatment should occur with the management of a patient who has a white phosphorous chemical burn. This includes taking off the patient’s clothing. Some suggestions include flushing the phosphorous particles out with water or a saline solution whereas others suggest that flushing out a wound with chemical burn should not happen.
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