08/11/2020
The ash residue which remains after wood is burned contains variable amounts of potassium hydroxide and potassium carbonate. The solution of lye that results from wood ash soaked or boiled in water is a strong alkali used to make soap from rendered fat. Those unfamiliar with this process may view ashes as harmless. We report a skin exposure to wood ash and water that rapidly produced superficial burns in a toddler.
QUICK FACTS
Wood ashes alone are said to be nontoxic.
A poultice application of wood ash and water is touted as a folklore-remedy for pain relief.
Wood ash plus water create a strong alkali that is capable of burning human skin.
Wet wood ash can cause full thickness burns and necrosis given sufficient skin contact time.
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