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This article was co-written by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a dermatologist and founder of Tareen Dermatpogy based in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed her medical degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha society. During her time as a resident in dermatology at Cpumbia University in New York City, she won the New York Dermatological Society’s Conrad Stritzler Award and appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine. Tareen then completed a doctoral program specializing in skin surgery, laser and cosmetic dermatology.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
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Electrical burns occur when a person comes into contact with an electrical source – grounded electrical equipment, for example – and is subjected to an electrical current through the body. The extent of burns can vary from first degree to third degree, depending on the amount of time exposed to the electric current, the magnitude and type of current, and the direction of the current passing through the body. If you have a second or third degree burn, the burn can be very deep and cause paralysis. Electrical burns can lead to complications due to the impact on internal organs, not just contact with the outer flesh. With a little preparation, you can know exactly how to react in case you or someone near you gets an electrical burn.
Steps
Treatment of severe electrical burns
- If the power cannot be turned off immediately, stand on a dry surface – such as a rubber mat or a stack of papers or books – and use a wooden object such as a broom handle to push the victim away from the power source. [2] X Research Source Do not use any wet or metal objects.
- If the victim’s heart stops beating, you need to perform CPR.
- Even if the casualty is awake, you should call 911 if he or she has severe burns, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia/cardiac arrest, convulsions, trouble walking or balancing, problems vision or hearing problems, red or blackish-red urine, mental confusion, pain and muscle cramps, or trouble breathing. [7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source[8] X Research Source
- Note that the victim may have kidney, nervous system and bone damage.
- Cover the burn with a dry sterile gauze dressing. [9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source For severe burns, do not attempt to remove pieces of clothing stuck to the skin. However, you can cut off any un-sticky clothing around the burned skin, especially since they can cause trouble when the skin is swollen.
- Do not cover the burn with a blanket or towel, as the loose fibers may stick to the wound. [10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Do not try to cool the burned area with water or ice.
- Do not apply grease to the burned skin.
- They will usually order blood and urine tests to check for damage to the muscles, heart, and other organs. [12] X Research Source
- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the heart’s electrical activity to make sure the shock isn’t causing an arrhythmia. [13] X Research Source
- For severe burns, medical staff may take a scan to look for dead tissue that needs to be removed. [14] X Research Source
- Discoloration in the burned skin or surrounding skin
- Skin turns purplish red, especially if swelling is present
- Change in the thickness of the burn (the burn suddenly grows deep into the skin)
- Green or pus discharge
- Fever
- Decompression, a method of removing dead or severely damaged tissue to prevent infection, inflammation, and to help the wound heal.
- Skin graft or skin flap, a process of replacing lost skin with healthy skin taken from another site to aid in the healing process and prevent infection.
- Early surgical intervention, which involves making an incision into the dead tissue to the underlying fat, can help improve blood circulation as well as relieve pressure-induced pain from swelling.
- A fasciectomy – or reducing pressure caused by swollen muscles – can help reduce damage to nerves, tissues or organs.
Treatment of minor electrical burns
- If clothing gets on the burn, it’s not a minor burn, and you need to call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to remove clothing that is attached to the burn, but should cut around the affected area, removing only the unaffected parts. [20] X Research Source
- Never use ice or ice, as extreme cold can cause further tissue damage. [23] X Research Sources
- You can soak burned arms, hands, feet, and legs in a basin of cool water, and apply cool compresses to the burn on your face or body. [24] X Research Source
- This also means using only clean cloths, gauze and gloves, or whatever is used to treat burns should also be clean.
- Some pieces of leather may come off during washing. [28] X Research Sources
- In the case of a very mild first-degree burn, that may be all you need to do to treat the burn.
- No dressing is needed if the burned skin is not broken or the blisters are not broken. However, you should apply a bandage if the affected area is in an area that is prone to contamination or irritation from clothing rubbing. [31] X Research Source
- Do not use adhesive tape to secure the bandages so that the hands, arms or legs are constricted. This can cause swelling. [32] X Research Source
- Feeling dizzy or weak
- Stiffness or muscle pain
- Confusion or memory loss
- Questions or concerns about your condition or care
- Change in color on the burned skin or surrounding skin
- Skin turns burgundy, especially when accompanied by swelling
- Change in the thickness of the burn (the burn suddenly goes deep into the skin)
- Green or pus discharge
- Fever
- A blister is considered large when it is larger than the nail of the little finger. [36] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
Advice
- Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment until it has been thoroughly checked to ensure that no power is present in the appliance.
- Use plugs on electrical outlets in the house to protect children’s safety.
- Replace worn or frayed power cords.
- When calling an ambulance, say that you are helping someone with an electrical burn. They will guide you through first aid steps.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when working with electrical equipment.
- To prevent electrical burns, you should wear appropriate clothing and take precautions when repairing electrical equipment.
- Learn to identify the symptoms of first, second, and third degree burns to determine your next steps, depending on the type of burn.
- First-degree burns are the least severe, affecting only the outermost layer of skin. This type of burn causes the skin to become red and often painful. However, first-degree burns are considered mild and can be treated at home.
- Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns, affecting the outermost and second layers of skin. This type of burn can cause the skin to become red, blistered, painful, and sensitive. Small burns can be treated at home, but extensive burns require medical attention.
- Third degree burns are the heaviest and most dangerous, affecting all layers of the skin. This type of burn can cause the skin to turn red, brown, or white, but is usually black. The burned skin is wrinkled and often insensitive. This type of burn requires immediate medical attention.
Warning
- Never touch someone who is being electrocuted, or you will also become a victim.
- Do not enter an area where electrical equipment is exposed to water or moisture.
- In the event of a fire caused by an electrical short, disconnect the power first, then use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
This article was co-written by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a dermatologist and founder of Tareen Dermatpogy based in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed her medical degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha society. During her time as a resident in dermatology at Cpumbia University in New York City, she won the New York Dermatological Society’s Conrad Stritzler Award and appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine. Tareen then completed a doctoral program specializing in skin surgery, laser and cosmetic dermatology.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 18,045 times.
Electrical burns occur when a person comes into contact with an electrical source – grounded electrical equipment, for example – and is subjected to an electrical current through the body. The extent of burns can vary from first degree to third degree, depending on the amount of time exposed to the electric current, the magnitude and type of current, and the direction of the current passing through the body. If you have a second or third degree burn, the burn can be very deep and cause paralysis. Electrical burns can lead to complications due to the impact on internal organs, not just contact with the outer flesh. With a little preparation, you can know exactly how to react in case you or someone near you gets an electrical burn.
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