Spray‐Induced Frostbite in a Child: A New Hazard with Novel Aerosol Propellants

Abstract: A case of deep frostbite occurred in an 8.5‐year‐old child. The lesion was due to the improper use of a toilet air freshener and was severe enough to require a skin graft. The propellants contained in the spray were propane and butane. We measured the temperature of this aerosol during spraying (−40°) in comparison with an ethyl chloride spray (−3°) widely used for local skin anesthesia. This difference is mainly due to the much lower evaporation temperature of propane (−42.2°) and butane (−0.6Y) compared with ethyl chloride (12.5°). This child aimed the spray directly toward his skin, thus producing a deep frostbite. We wish to draw the attention of clinicians to this potential hazard with new propelltants, since they should soon replace chlorohydrofluorocarbons throughout the world for ecologic reasons.