Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure By Michael I Greenberg, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine; David Vearrier, MD, MPH, University of Mississippi Medical Center Reviewed / Revised May 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Prognosis Treatment Prevention Key Points Hydrofluoric acid is commonly used in industry and dermal exposure causes deeply-penetrating painful soft tissue injury and also local and sometimes systemic fluoride toxicity.