The Increasing Burden of Preventable Cement Burn Injuries

BACKGROUND: Cement is widely used in the construction industry by professionals and in domestic do-it-yourself (DIY) settings. As a highly alkaline substance, prolonged skin contact can result in chemical burns. Although relatively uncommon, cement burns often cause small but deep injuries that require operative management. METHODS: A retrospective case review was performed of patients admitted to the Adult Burns Unit at The Royal Adelaide Hospital with cement burns between 2020 and 2025. Incidence and injury characteristics were compared with those reported in a previous case series published by the same unit in 2014, after which public awareness initiatives were undertaken. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with cement burns were admitted over this 5 year period. This is a significant increase compared with the previous 10-year audit. All patients were male and the median age was 45 years. The median delay in seeking medical treatment was 4 days. 60% of these injuries were sustained in a DIY setting, most commonly from kneeling in wet cement. The mean burn size was 2% TBSA and 79% of patients required operative management. The median length of inpatient stay was 5 days. CONCLUSION: Admissions for cement-related burn injuries are increasing despite previous public awareness efforts. While further media initiatives have been undertaken by our Burns Unit, enhanced public education, workplace safety measures, and product labeling is urgently needed to reduce the burden of these injuries.