Medical education Snapshot
Emergency medicine Child health
Volume 213 - Issue 6

Paediatric facial burns from oleander leaves

Authors:  Sarah Oudtshoorn, Sanchita Gera and Parshotam Gera

Med J Aust 2020; 213 (6): 265-265.e1. || doi: 10.5694/mja2.50746
Published online: 21 September 2020
A 5-year-old girl sustained partial thickness facial burns from oleander leaves that she applied as pretend make-up
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A 5‐year‐old girl sustained partial thickness facial burns from oleander leaves (Nerium oleander) (Figure, A) that she applied as pretend make‐up. Oleander causes cardiac toxicity when ingested, but the documentation of chemical burns has been rare.1,2

In this case, skin erythema occurred initially (Figure, B). The next morning, blistering and swelling developed (Figure, C). In the emergency department, her vitals and electrocardiogram were normal.

Her burns care included saline gauze compresses followed by emollient, and a daily soapy wash. Her recovery was excellent, with no infection or surgical intervention required.

Oleander can be found throughout Australia. If skin contact occurs, the area should be washed promptly.

Authors

  • Sarah Oudtshoorn1
  • Sanchita Gera2
  • Parshotam Gera1
  • 1. Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA
  • 2. University of Western Australia, Perth, WA

Correspondence: sarah.vanoudtshoorn@health.wa.gov.au

Competing interests

No relevant disclosures.

Acknowledgements

We thank Tania McWilliams (Burns Clinical Nurse Consultant, Perth Children's Hospital) for assisting in collecting the clinical photography for this article.

References

View this article on Wiley Online Library

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