Too hot to handle − Microwaved drinkware: An emerging cause of contact burn injuries?

Purpose of the study

To investigate the local and national incidence of contact burns secondary to microwave-heated drinkware and specifically those with a metallic coating.

Methods

This retrospective analysis from November 2018 to December 2022 includes UK-wide data on burn mechanism, demographics, TBSA (total body surface area), depth and additionally, local data on injury details, management, complications, healing duration, return-to-work time, and follow-up duration within our service.

Results

National: In the UK, 87 patients sustained burns related to microwave heating of drinkware. Median (IQR) burn size was 0.21% (+/−0.15) TBSA. Most burn injuries were superficial dermal (SD) (88.7%). All cases were treated conservatively.

Regional: Contact burns from microwave-heated metallic coated drinkware were identified in 28 patients. The median (IQR) TBSA was 0.12% (+/−0). Most injuries were assessed as SD (90%, 45/50), however, 4/5 (80%) of the deeper burns were caused by metallic-coated drinkware. The median (IQR) follow-up was 6.04 days (+/−4.5). Median (IQR) healing time was 14.17 (+/−0) days and mean time to return to work was 7.57 (+/−3.5) days.

Conclusions

Microwave-heated drinkware burns, while constituting a small portion of referrals to UK burns services, may have a larger true population incidence. Due to their size, these injuries are probably treated locally without referral to a burns service. Regional data analysis highlighted that metallic coated drinkware related injuries were associated with longer healing times.