Use of a Topical Salicylate Product Leading to Death: A Case Report
Ali Alshehri1, Mohammad Albokhari1, Bsaim Abdulsalam Altirkistani2, Mouath Alshinqiti1
1Emergency Medicine Department, Ministry of the National Guard – HealthAffairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah,Saudi Arabia
Corresponding:Bsaim Abdulsalam Altirkistani,[email protected]OCRID: 0000-0002-6342-608X
Abstract
Introduction:Systemic salicylate poisoning can occur when products containing salicylates are applied to inflamed skin or when high concentrations are used for prolonged periods. Significant morbidity and mortality from dermal salicylate exposure are rarely reported. We present a fatal case of topical salicylate poisoning.Case:A 25-year-old female with vitiligo came to the emergency department by ambulance. Her sister reported that the patient had been using a topical skin whitening product for the preceding two weeks.We later found this to contain salicylate.She was critically ill, with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.She receivedintravenous fluids and empirical antibiotics for suspected sepsis.Shortly after arrival, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest.Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.Subsequent testing of antemortem blood showed a salicylate concentration of 1055 mg/L (therapeutic range 100 – 300 mg/L).Conclusion:Topical salicylate poisoning is rare, but it may cause life threatening toxicity.
Received: 30 December 2024 Accepted: 01 February 2025 Published: 14 February 2025
How to Cite
Alshehri, A., Albokhari, M., Altirkistani, B. A. & Alshinqiti, M. Use of a topical salicylate product leading to death: A case report.STJ,2024, 1,110-113https://doi.org/10.70957/uqu.edu.sa/s.toxicology.s/stj.2024.1.10
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi ArabiaThis article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).