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Pictures of white particles in urine4/1/2023 ![]() Both mother and child were safely evacuated from the apartment with no further injuries sustained. Upon return to the living room, the piece of white phosphorus had ignited the couch which took hold and the entire apartment was gutted with fire. The patient then proceeded to put out the flames in the bathroom shower. Subsequently, she dropped the rock which made contact with her right calf and then landed on her right foot that was covered by a sock and ignited. As she commenced unwrapping the paper towel, white smoke emanated from the rock that was followed by ignition of flames and accompanied by a severe burning sensation in her hands. According to her anamnesis, the daughter presented her mother an unusual appearing, yellow translucent colored rock covered by a wet paper towel. Upon returning home, the daughter washed the rocks of sand with tap water and immediately wrapped them in a paper towel. We report a case of a white phosphorus burn that has a unique mechanism of injury involving a 40-year-old woman with her 7-year-old daughter who were collecting rocks on a beach in Tel Aviv. Here we present the case of a 40-year-old female who sustained chemical burns from contact with white phosphorus. For military personnel, materials as white phosphorus present a high risk for burns from incendiary shells and detonators and such injuries warrant the expertise of experienced military burn surgeons. Well known for its use in military warfare, white phosphorus burns displaying an illuminous yellow flame producing a thick white smoke that serves as a smokescreen, interferes with infrared cameras and weapon tracking devices. The bulk of phosphorus produced with this method is then converted to phosphoric acid that is used in agriculture for the production of fertilizers rodenticides, fireworks and doping agent for silicon in the manufacturing of semiconductors. In the dark, white phosphorus emits a greenish light and white fumes can be seen and a garlic-like odor. Due to its dehydrating action, white phosphorus is a highly corrosive substance. With a melting point of 44 ☌, white phosphorus is insoluble in water and above 30 ☌, the particles spontaneously oxidize when in contact with the atmosphere forming phosphorus pentoxide a strong desiccant and dehydrating agent. Hence the new element was named, phosphorus deriving from the Greek word phosphoros (Φωσφόρος) meaning (light bringer or bearer). As a result, the vapors created were passed through water causing the white phosphorus to become a soft, waxy, white solid material. Brand prepared a mixture of dried urine and sand by means of boiling. In 1669, a German merchant and alchemist, Hennig Brand (1630–1692) who was intent on searching for the “Philosopher’s stone”, a legendary object that could turn base metals into gold, was unintentionally preparing white phosphorus. Awareness of the unique nature of white phosphorus among military burn clinicians should be emphasized. Conclusionsĭuring peacetime, white phosphorus possess a significant danger to civilians. Despite the use of pressure garments, hypertrophic scarring began to develop on the dorsum of her right foot. The patient was discharged 22 days after admission and followed up in the outpatient clinic. The burns were treated conservatively with mafenide acetate on the medial calf and dorsum of foot and Flaminal Forte was used for the palmar region. In this report, we discuss the case of a 40 years old female who sustained 2% Total Body Surface Area partial to full thickness burns from white phosphorus. Classed as a chemical burn, white phosphorus is used for military purposes and within industry, for the manufacture of fireworks and agricultural products. White phosphorus burns are often associated with smaller surface areas and high morbidity rates. Burns from white phosphorus are rare and remain a challenge for clinicians.
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