SALICYLATE INTOXICATION USING A SKIN OINTMENT

Acute percutaneous salicylate intoxication is a rare event in children but can happen with a skin disease where salicylic acid, used as a ke ratolytic ointment, can be absorbed transcutaneously. Until now, few c ases of transcutaneous salicylate intoxication have been reported in t he literature. Our case report is about a 5-year-old girl with lamella r ichthyosis and an acute salicylate transcutaneous intoxication after the application of a skin ointment. The child had a fever, hyperpnoea with respiratory alkalosis, comatose state and oculogyric crisis. We would like to emphasize the danger of applying salicylic acid in child ren with extensive skin diseases and, therefore, it is advisable to me asure the plasma salicylic levels so as to prevent eventual salicylate toxicity.