What Should an IVF Lab Do If a Member of Staff Gets a Cryogenic Burn?

A cryogenic burn from liquid nitrogen contact requires immediate first aid and, in most cases, medical attention. The response needs to be fast and correct – the wrong action can worsen the injury significantly. Every IVF laboratory that handles liquid nitrogen should have a cryogenic burn first aid protocol that all staff know before they ever touch a nitrogen vessel.

Immediate response

Remove any clothing or jewellery from the affected area immediately, provided it is not frozen to the skin. Do not pull frozen fabric away from skin – cut around it if necessary. Move to a warm area and begin rewarming the affected tissue using tepid water at approximately 40 to 42 degrees C. Do not use hot water, which can cause additional thermal damage to tissue that has lost sensation. Do not rub or massage the affected area, which can cause mechanical damage to frozen tissue.

What not to do

Do not apply direct heat from a heat lamp, radiator or hot compress. Do not break blisters that form. Do not apply creams, lotions or ice. The counterintuitive instruction that catches people out: do not rewarm the tissue with body heat alone if the injury is significant – tepid running water is significantly more effective and controllable.

Cryogenic burns can look deceptively minor immediately after contact. The skin may appear white or waxy and feel numb rather than painful. This is not a sign the injury is superficial – it is a sign that tissue is deeply frozen. Seek medical attention for any cryogenic burn beyond brief skin contact.

Seeking medical attention

Any cryogenic burn involving more than a very small skin area, any burn to the face or eyes, or any burn where the tissue does not return to normal sensation and colour within a few minutes of rewarming should be assessed by a medical professional. Eye exposure to liquid nitrogen requires immediate emergency medical attention.

Prevention is the correct approach

The right cryogenic PPE including gloves in the correct length for the task, full-face shields for liquid nitrogen transfer procedures, and waterproof aprons for vessel filling all prevent cryogenic burns from occurring. A cryogenic burn in a properly equipped and trained IVF laboratory is a failure of PPE selection, training or both. Contact Cryolab to discuss cryogenic safety wear for your laboratory.