Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report

Background: Hydrogen peroxide, a well-known cleaning product, is responsible for a large number of emergency department visits each year. The current literature contains only few case reports of these exposures, and our case report provides an example of what can happen from direct hydrogen exposure...

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Main Authors: Monique Graf, Craig Reece Brockman, II, Kara Pretzlaff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:JEM Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500001X
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author Monique Graf
Craig Reece Brockman, II
Kara Pretzlaff
author_facet Monique Graf
Craig Reece Brockman, II
Kara Pretzlaff
author_sort Monique Graf
collection DOAJ
description Background: Hydrogen peroxide, a well-known cleaning product, is responsible for a large number of emergency department visits each year. The current literature contains only few case reports of these exposures, and our case report provides an example of what can happen from direct hydrogen exposure and how it is managed from the emergency department. Case report: A 26-year-old female presented to the emergency department with lower lip swelling and overlying skin changes. Vital signs were within normal limits and the remainder of her exam was within normal limits. It was elicited with further questioning that the patient had irrigated her lip piercing the night before with hydrogen peroxide. With this information, the correct diagnosis of hydrogen peroxide toxicity was made and with the help of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the patient was treated appropriately for this condition. Why should emergency medicine physicians be aware of this: Toxic exposures, whether via direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion, are commonly seen in the emergency department and require expeditious diagnosis and treatment. Based on physical exam alone, lip swelling suggests a variety of diagnoses. In this case, as in many others, accurate history taking is crucial in making the correct diagnoses.
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spelling doaj-art-76197f2c0cbf4fb5a180f43ffad2e2412025-08-20T02:11:12ZengElsevierJEM Reports2773-23202025-03-014110013710.1016/j.jemrpt.2025.100137Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case reportMonique Graf0Craig Reece Brockman, II1Kara Pretzlaff2UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA; Corresponding author.UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USAMethodist Richardson Medical Center Bush/Renner, Texas, USABackground: Hydrogen peroxide, a well-known cleaning product, is responsible for a large number of emergency department visits each year. The current literature contains only few case reports of these exposures, and our case report provides an example of what can happen from direct hydrogen exposure and how it is managed from the emergency department. Case report: A 26-year-old female presented to the emergency department with lower lip swelling and overlying skin changes. Vital signs were within normal limits and the remainder of her exam was within normal limits. It was elicited with further questioning that the patient had irrigated her lip piercing the night before with hydrogen peroxide. With this information, the correct diagnosis of hydrogen peroxide toxicity was made and with the help of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the patient was treated appropriately for this condition. Why should emergency medicine physicians be aware of this: Toxic exposures, whether via direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion, are commonly seen in the emergency department and require expeditious diagnosis and treatment. Based on physical exam alone, lip swelling suggests a variety of diagnoses. In this case, as in many others, accurate history taking is crucial in making the correct diagnoses.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500001XHydrogen peroxideMucosal exposuresCase reportToxic exposuresLipid peroxidation
spellingShingle Monique Graf
Craig Reece Brockman, II
Kara Pretzlaff
Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
JEM Reports
Hydrogen peroxide
Mucosal exposures
Case report
Toxic exposures
Lipid peroxidation
title Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
title_full Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
title_fullStr Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
title_short Hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing: A case report
title_sort hydrogen peroxide toxicity of a lower lip piercing a case report
topic Hydrogen peroxide
Mucosal exposures
Case report
Toxic exposures
Lipid peroxidation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500001X
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