Kerosene (paraffin or lamp oil), the liquid hydrocarbon is a common household commodity of low-income families in developing countries used for cooking and lighting lamps. Still, kerosene is rarely ingested with suicidal intent by adolescents or adults. Pneumonitis is the most frequent manifestation of kerosene aspiration but bilateral pleural effusion is very rare. Kerosene being an irritant may cause dermatitis upon direct contact with skin. We report for the first time acute contact dermatitis and bilateral pleural effusion with pneumonitis in a 17-year-old adolescent girl following suicidal attempt with kerosene. Pleural fluid was exudative and kerosene induced bilateral pleural effusion and skin lesions resolved within two weeks of conservative treatment.

Accidental kerosene ingestion is uncommon in adults. We report the rare case of accidental ingestion of kerosene by a previously healthy 20-year-old woman resulting in left lower lobe pneumonitis with minimal pleural effusion. Pulmonary parenchymal lesions were seen only through computed tomography of the chest. Clinical recovery occurred quickly with supportive treatment but resolution of parenchymal lesions was evident on computed tomography of the chest at six months follow-up.