Burn electrical shock – Injuries from electric current

What is electrical burns and trauma?

Electrical burns and injuries are the result of the influence of electric current, passing through the human body. This may cause temporary or permanent damage to the skin, the major organs and tissue. The degree of damage depends on the strength and duration of electric current.

Causes of electrical burns and injuries

Electrical burns and injuries resulting from accidental contact with exposed parts of electrical appliances, wiring or lightning.

Appliance or wiring may cause injury, if:

• Children bite electrical cords;
• Metal objects are stuck to Sockets, spokes, come into contact with human skin;
• The electric device no safety guard and the man touches to details, under voltage;
• Connected to the electrical power supply unit fell into water.

Accidents can occur from electrical arcs, emerging from high voltage transmission lines. Electrical arcs occur, When the pulse of electricity goes from one electrical conductor to another, creating a bright Flash.

Risk factors of electrical burns and injuries

Factors, that can increase the likelihood of electrical burns or injuries include:

• Professions, associated electrical stimulation, eg, electrician;
• Finding the outdoors during thunderstorms or areas, where thunderstorms are frequent;
• Work with electrical installations and electrical appliances without proper training.

Symptoms of electrical burns and injuries

The symptoms will depend on the force of electricity, passing through the body and the duration of its effects.

Electric shocks can cause strong muscle contractions. These cuts may cause a fall or injury, including bone fractures. Other symptoms of shock include:

• Numbness or tingling;
• Weakness;
• Visible burns on the skin;
• Headache;
• Disorientation.

Electric current can also disrupt certain functions in the body, which can cause:

• Low blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness and weakness;
• Convulsions;
• Arrhythmia, which can be invisible, or felt as palpitations in the chest.

An electric shock can also cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure and/or loss of consciousness.

Diagnostics of electrical burns and injuries

Diagnosis of electrical burns or injury will be put to the basis of events, caused the defeat and symptoms.

Like other Burns, electrical burns are 3 severity, different symptoms:

• First degree burns – damaged only the outer layer of skin. The skin becomes red and painful, It may appear a swelling. When you click on it, the skin becomes white;
• Second-degree burns – These Burns deeper and more serious. They cause blisters, the skin becomes red or blotchy. In situ burn can occur intense swelling;
• Third degree burns – they can damage all skin layers until the tissues underneath. Damaged skin looks white or charred. These burns can cause minimal or no pain cause pain, because nerves in the skin are destroyed.

Skin damage can be difficult to detect visually, so for more detailed diagnostics are applied:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – to detect heart rhythm disorders;
• Urine or blood, for the detection of serious muscle injury;
• CT or MRI scan.

Treatment of electrical burns and injuries

If possible, disconnect the power supply, circuit breaker on the fence or unplug the appliance with other dangerous way. Do not expose to danger yourself and other people, immediately call emergency medical assistance.

Treatment of electrical injury will depend on the degree of damage, the reaction of the body affected by electric shock, and severity of injury.

Less severe symptoms may require only observation, and after some time pass. Some symptoms may persist for a long period of time.

Emergency medical assistance

Heavy defeat shock, that caused the cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, cramping or severe injury requires emergency treatment. First aid should be conducted, to quickly restore breathing and prevent further damage or death. Some of the emergency steps may include:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (SLR) – When you stop the heart CPR can provide the inflow of oxygen to vital organs;
• Ventilation respiratory and breathing support;
• Intravenous fluids, to restore the loss of salts and fluids in the body (may not be needed, If there is defeat lightning).

You might also need an operation, for the treatment of deep burns or severe skin lesions.

Follow-up after shock

Some complications from electric shock can occur over a long period of time. Monitoring and future testing might be necessary to control symptoms, that appear after the incident. Complications may affect the heart, the kidneys or nerves (nerve damage).

Prevention of electric shock

To reduce the chance of electric burns and injuries:

• Use the plugs for closing the unused Sockets;
• Keep electrical cords out of the reach of children;
• Avoid electric shock in accordance with the manufacturer's safety instructions when using electrical appliances,. Always turn off the circuit breakers on the flap when undertaking renovations in harnesses;
• Avoid using electrical appliances in the shower or at high humidity;
• Never touch electrical devices, at the same time touching faucets or water pipes;
• Avoid thunderstorms. If a thunderstorm caught you outdoors, as soon as possible and find a reliable shelter.