Injection of household spray insecticide

Subcutaneous injection of household spray insecticide: a rare cause of soft tissue damage

“…In our case abscess formation and fever were not evident until the ninth day of hospitalization. This prolonged course stands in contrast to cases reported earlier, in which abscess formation was evident as soon as the second or third day after admission [1,2,4]. Wedin and Jones [4] further stress the necessity of early decompression, since in their report of a similar case considerable amounts of purulent discharge were evacuated from the affected limb, even in the absence of fluctuation or pustules.…”

“…Subcutaneous, intramuscular, and even intravenous injection of commercially available insecticides has been documented in the literature, but these are extremely rare forms of suicidal attempts [1,2,4]. The active ingredients in household spray insecticides are cholinesterase inhibitors, usually carbamates or pyrethrine derivatives.…”

“…Monitoring of the limb for pulse, color, sensation, and oxygenation should be maintained to detect the possibility of pressure build-up and to avoid the undesirable outcome of compartment syndrome. Goldberg et al [1] and Wedin et al [4] have reported the use of warm soaks as an immediate form of treatment. Systemic monitoring should aim at early recognition of organophosphate or carbamate intoxication.…”

“…In the early 1980s it was not clear whether abscess formation at the injection site is due to inoculation of micro-organisms or to the effects of the insecticides per se [1]. It is now generally agreed that these solvents produce sterile abscesses.…”

“…Drainage procedures are usually required for pus evacuation whenever sterile abscesses form, although this may occur spontaneously [1]. In most cases this leads to defervescence.…”