Phenol is highly corrosive, and is absorbed through intact skin. It is used in the manufacture of drugs, agrochemicals, plastics, resins and detergents, and as a laboratory reagent.
Exposure causes a painless white burn, associated with nausea, sweating, dyspnoea and pyrexia. Later effects (following 1 to 5 hours after exposure) include pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock and renal failure.
Basic principles of chemical burns management are applicable. Polyethylene glycol (P.E.G. 300, `macro gol') should be rubbed into the skin continuously.
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