A 19 year old man presents with a scalp lesions/burns after an exposure to incendiary agent. His wounds were smoking and they flouresce under UV light.
What is the causative agent?
Answer: White Phosphorus
White phosphorus is an incendiary agent that is use in certain types of miliary munition (e.g. smoke grenades). It is very lipophilic and penetrates the skin easily.
It self-ignites spontaneously when exposed to ambient air/oxygen and readily burns skin, cloths, and other combustible materials.
Management:
Conner JC et al. White phosphorus dermal burns. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1530
