Second Degree Skin Burn with Garlic and Table Salt

Dear Editor,

Unusual burns with many etiologic agents have been reported earlier.[1] Garlic burns have also been reported. However, burns due to garlic and table salt mixture for tattoo removal was not reported. A 21-year-old man was admitted with second degree skin burns on the dorsum of the left hand. The patient had applied a mixture of garlic and table salt for removal of multiple tattoos on the dorsa of the fingers. He felt pain and discomfort under the dressing after 4 hours. On opening the dressing there were burns with blisters over the tattoo marks at the site of application [Figures 1 and 2]. The patient was treated symptomatically with drainage of the bullae on outpatient basis and healed uneventfully. The exact mechanism of garlic burn is not fully understood.[2] Organic sulfur compound is believed to be the main causative agent in garlic burn. It produces a coagulative necrosis similar to acidic chemical burns. Contact dermatitis is also believed to be effect of garlic. Salt is used for salabrasion in plastic surgery for tattoo removing. Salt abrades superficial epidermis.[3] The aim of this report is to highlight the dangers of various home remedies that are used for the treatment of tattoos.

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Figure 1

Second degree skin burn on the left hand

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Figure 2

View of the left hand after drainage of the bullas

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