Chemical burn in the oral cavity caused by contact with a Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia Physalis): an unusual case report

Quemadura química en la cavidad bucal causada por contacto con la Carabela Portuguesa (Physalia physalis): un caso inusual

Resumen

Background: The Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) is a marine siphonophore whose venomous tentacles can cause severe chemical burns. Oral cavity involvement is extremely rare and poorly documented in medical literature. Case Report: A 43-year-old male presented with painful oral lesions after accidentally ingesting a Portuguese man-of-war tentacle during marine activities. Clinical examination revealed a 4×1.5 cm ulcerative lesion on the left hard palate with erythematous and necrotic zones. The marine biology laboratory confirmed the identification of the tentacles. Treatment included topical pharmacological therapy with nystatin, hydrocortisone, vitamins A and E, lidocaine, systemic antibiotics, analgesics, and corticosteroids. Histopathological analysis confirmed chemical burn with extensive ulceration and necrosis. Complete healing was achieved after 30 days with minimal residual erythema.