Overview
Corrosion of the mouth and pharynx, often secondary to occupational exposures, involves chemical irritations and physical abrasions, particularly from disinfectants and protective gear used during disease containment efforts 1.Diagnosis
Clinical Presentation: Symptoms include irritation, abrasions, and potential chemical burns in the oral and pharyngeal mucosa 1.
History and Exposure Assessment: Detailed history focusing on exposure to irritants and protective equipment use 1.
Physical Examination: Direct visualization of mucosal surfaces for signs of corrosion, abrasions, and chemical burns 1.Management
Decontamination: Rinse affected areas with copious amounts of water to remove irritants 1.
Symptomatic Relief: Use of bland mouthwashes, topical anesthetics for pain relief, and hydration to soothe irritation 1.
Protective Measures: Implementation of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols to prevent future exposures 1.Special Populations
Veterinarians and Support Staff: Higher risk noted among support staff; tailored PPE and training emphasized 1.
No Specific Guidance for Pregnancy, Pediatrics, or Elderly: Abstracts do not provide specific recommendations for these groups 1.Key Recommendations
Implement rigorous PPE protocols to minimize exposure to irritants among staff involved in disease containment efforts (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).
Conduct thorough decontamination with water immediately following exposure to disinfectants or irritants (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).
Provide symptomatic treatment including hydration and topical relief measures for affected individuals (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).References
1 Muroga N, Yamamoto T, Hayama Y, Kobayashi S, Hidano A, Tsutsui T. Injuries to staff engaged in foot-and-mouth disease eradication in Japan. Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) 2015. link
2 Cowan KM. Immunochemical studies of foot-and-mouth disease. V. Antigenic variants of virus demonstrated by immunodiffusion analyses with 19S but not 7S antibodies. The Journal of experimental medicine 1969. link