[sonwon]

Good news you caught it before it became a problem!

I am testing my brake fluid every spring with a tester. I will change the fluid at the first sign of brake fluid degradation. Currently only two years into the process.

 

[sonwon]

Brake fluid is toxic so please wear gloves.

 

[sonwon]

Pretty much every fluid in a motorcycle is toxic😅

True that! Accept brake fluid inside a cut can cause a terrible infection. If it happens you have to tell the staff so they know how to treat it.

Brake Fluid on Cut

If brake fluid enters a cut, it can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening injury known as a hydraulic oil injection injury. What might initially appear to be a minor puncture wound can rapidly become serious, with symptoms including redness, swelling, throbbing, and numbness developing within hours. The injected fluid is highly toxic and can cause significant tissue damage, leading to complications such as infection, tissue necrosis, and even amputation or death if not treated immediately. The injury is particularly dangerous because the high pressure of the brake system can force the fluid deep into tissues, making it difficult to detect and treat without prompt medical intervention. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if a hydraulic fluid injection injury is suspected, as delays in treatment significantly increase the risk of severe outcomes.

 

[sonwon]

If it’s injected into your skin. Not sure how that could happen but thanks for the tip 🤘

And, "If brake fluid enters a cut..."

Injected into your skin refers to high pressure hydraulic systems which can press the fluid through the skin. It works the same on an open cut without the high pressure.

 

[sonwon]

If you say so

Brake Fluid Infection Risk

Yes, brake fluid in a cut can cause serious complications, although it is not typically a direct cause of infection in the conventional sense. Brake fluid is highly corrosive and can cause severe chemical damage to tissues, leading to significant pain, inflammation, and potential long-term harm. It is a hygroscopic substance, meaning it absorbs moisture from the environment, and when introduced into a wound, it can cause extreme skin irritation and dryness. The fluid can also be toxic, and if it enters the bloodstream through a cut, it may lead to systemic health issues, including potential liver and kidney damage with repeated or excessive exposure .

While some anecdotal reports suggest that brake fluid might create an oily environment that could theoretically deter bacteria, this is not a safe or recommended practice. The primary concern with brake fluid in a wound is its chemical toxicity and corrosive nature, not its ability to prevent bacterial infection. In fact, the damage caused by the fluid can compromise the skin's integrity, potentially making the wound more susceptible to secondary infection. Furthermore, hydraulic fluid injection injuries, which can occur from high-pressure systems like brake lines, are a serious medical emergency. These injuries often appear minor initially but can lead to severe internal tissue damage, infection, necrosis, and even amputation or death if not treated immediately.

Therefore, while brake fluid itself is not a common source of bacterial infection, its presence in a cut poses a significant risk of chemical injury and can lead to severe complications requiring urgent medical attention.

 

[sonwon]

You missed the key point:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_pressure_injection_injury

Is brake fluid alone toxic? Sure, but not nearly to the extent you are implying. My whole family has an unusually low pain response, we cut or injure ourselves, particularly our hands, VERY often while working. If contamination of used brake fluid getting into a superficial cut was anywhere near as bad as you are claiming, I never would have made it to adulthood.

I do agree the danger is much higher with high pressure systems. And changing brake fluid is relatively safe. That does not negate the fact that getting brake fluid in an open cut can lead to a bad outcome and the risk is relatively low just not zero. Most cuts self seal so brake fluid has no ingress point. A newer cut that has not yet sealed is where I would expect to see a problem.