Mayonnaise and the Treatment of Molten Polyethylene Burns: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene is the most common plastic and is mainly used to produce plastic bags, film and bottles. When the molten polyethylene contacts skin,it causes burns and solidifies, so it is important to remove this material properly. However, no report has been issued to date on molten polyethylene contact burns. Here, we present such a case, in which the solidified polyethylene was successfully removed using mayonnaise. A 48-year-old man was burned on the face and neck by molten polyethylene, which had been heated to 200℃. Burned regions were covered with solidified polyethylene. About 15 minutes after spreading mayonnaise on the patient's face and neck, gently rubbing of the mayonnaise into the solidified polyethylene resulted in its successful removal. Mayonnaise has several advantages as it does not evaporate or flow across surfaces like other liquids, and unlike butter does not need to be melted before use. These properties and its ability to emulsify polythene mean that it can be used for the initial treatment of hot polyethylene burns and probably to treat contact burns caused by other petrochemical products.