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Electric burns occur when someone comes into contact with an electrical source, such as grounded electrical devices, and the electric current flows through the body. The burn severity can vary from first to third degree, depending on factors like the duration of exposure, intensity and type of current, and the direction it flows through the body. For second and third-degree burns, the damage can be deep and may cause paralysis. Electric burns can lead to complications affecting internal organs, not just the external flesh. With some preparation, you can respond effectively in case you or someone nearby suffers an electric burn.
Steps
Handling Severe Electric Burns
Do not touch the victim while they are still in contact with the electrical source. The first thing you need to do is turn off the electrical devices or cut the main power supply to stop the current from flowing through the victim's body.
- If you can't immediately cut the power, stand on a dry surface—such as a rubber mat or a stack of paper or books—and use a wooden object, like a broomstick, to push the victim away from the electrical source. Never use anything wet or made of metal.
Do not move the victim unless absolutely necessary. Once the victim is no longer in contact with the electrical current, try to avoid moving them unless it is crucial.
Check if the victim is responsive. The victim may be unconscious or unresponsive when you touch or speak to them. If they are not breathing, perform rescue breathing and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Call for emergency help. Electric burns can affect the heart's electrical activity. Dial 115 or any other emergency number, especially if the victim is unresponsive, has been burned by high-voltage lines, or struck by lightning.
- If the victim’s heart stops, you need to perform CPR.
- Even if the victim remains conscious, it’s still important to call for emergency help if they have severe burns, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia/cardiac arrest, seizures, difficulty walking or balancing, vision or hearing problems, red or dark-colored urine, confusion, pain and muscle spasms, or trouble breathing.
- Be aware that the victim may suffer from kidney, nervous system, or bone damage.
Manage the burn area while waiting for medical assistance.
- Cover the burn with a sterile, dry bandage. For severe burns, do not attempt to remove any clothing stuck to the skin. However, you can cut away any clothing that is not attached to the burn area, especially if it could become troublesome as the skin swells.
- Avoid using blankets or towels to cover the burn as fibers may stick to the wound.
- Do not attempt to cool the burn with water or ice.
- Do not apply ointments or creams to the burn area.
Check the victim for signs of shock. The victim may experience chills, clammy and cold skin, paleness, and/or rapid pulse. Monitor for any of these symptoms and report them to the emergency team when they arrive.
Keep the victim warm. It is important to help prevent the victim from getting too cold, as this can worsen shock symptoms. When using a blanket to cover the victim, avoid placing it over any burned areas while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
Follow the doctor's instructions. Based on the severity of shock and burn injuries, emergency medical staff will likely conduct several tests and determine appropriate treatments.
- Blood and urine tests are typically performed to assess damage to muscles, the heart, and other organs.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) will record the electrical activity of the heart to ensure shock doesn't lead to arrhythmias.
- For severe burns, medical staff may perform imaging scans to locate necrotic tissue that needs to be removed.
Adhere to the prescribed treatment plan. Doctors often prescribe pain relievers because burn injuries can be intensely painful while they heal. You may also be prescribed antibiotic ointments or creams to apply to the burned skin during bandage changes, as directed by the medical team.
Monitor for signs of infection. The treatment plan typically includes antibiotics to prevent infection in the burn. However, it's important to watch for any signs of infection and seek medical attention if the wound starts to show symptoms of infection. If this happens, the doctor may prescribe stronger antibiotics. Potential signs of infection include:
- Color changes in the burned area or surrounding skin
- Red-purple discoloration, especially if swelling occurs
- Changes in the depth of the burn (if it starts to extend deeper into the skin)
- Greenish discharge or pus
- Fever
Change the bandages frequently. Change the bandages whenever they become wet or dirty. Wash your hands thoroughly or wear gloves to clean the burn with mild soap and water. Apply antibiotic ointment (if instructed by your doctor) and rebandage the wound with sterile, non-stick gauze.
Discuss surgical options with your doctor in the case of severe burns. For third-degree burns, your doctor may recommend several surgical options based on the size and location of the burn. These options might include:
- Open wound debridement, a procedure to remove dead or severely damaged tissue to prevent infection, inflammation, and promote faster healing.
- Skin grafting or flap surgery, a procedure where healthy skin is taken from another part of the body to cover the burn area and aid healing while preventing infection.
- Early surgical intervention, a procedure that involves incising through dead tissue down to the underlying fat layer, which can help improve blood circulation and alleviate pressure pain caused by swelling.
- Fasciotomy, a procedure to relieve pressure caused by swollen muscles, which can prevent damage to nerves, tissues, or organs.
Consult with your doctor about physical therapy if necessary. Severe burns can cause damage to muscles and joints, leading to reduced mobility. Physical therapy can help restore flexibility in the affected areas, increase your range of motion, and alleviate pain during movement.
Handling Minor Electrical Burns
Remove clothing or jewelry from the burned area. Even minor burns can cause swelling, so it's essential to quickly remove any clothing or jewelry near the burn site that could aggravate the injury.
- If the clothing is stuck to the burn, it is not a minor burn, and you should call emergency services immediately. Do not attempt to remove clothing that is stuck to the burn, but rather cut around the affected area and remove only the parts that are not adhered.
Use cool water to rinse the burned area until the pain subsides. Cool water will lower the temperature of the skin and even help prevent the burn from worsening. Hold the burned area under cool running water or immerse it in cold water for about 10 minutes. Don’t worry if the water doesn’t immediately ease the pain: it typically takes around 30 minutes to feel relief.
- Never use ice or icy water, as extremely cold temperatures could cause further tissue damage.
- You can soak burned arms, hands, feet, or legs in a basin of cool water, or apply cool compresses to burns on the face or body.
Wash your hands. It is essential to clean the burn site to reduce the risk of infection. However, before treating the burn, it’s crucial to wash your hands thoroughly, as broken blisters are highly susceptible to infection.
- This also means using only clean cloths, gauze, gloves, or anything else that will come into contact with the burn area.
Do not burst blisters. Blisters from burns are different from those caused by minor abrasions that might be drained to alleviate pain. Never pop any burn blisters, as doing so significantly increases the risk of infection.
Clean the burned area. Use gentle soap and cool water to wash the burned skin. Gently lather the soap without breaking any blisters or irritating the skin.
- Some skin may peel off during the cleaning process.
Pat the skin dry. Use a clean cloth to gently pat the skin dry. Avoid rubbing the burn with fabric. If available, it’s best to use sterile gauze to dry the area.
- For minor first-degree burns, this may be all you need to do for treatment.
Apply antibiotic ointment. You can apply ointments like Bacitracin or Polysporin after washing the burn. Avoid using sprays or butters on the burn, as they can trap heat inside and worsen the injury.
Dress the burn. Use a clean bandage to cover the burned skin. Change the bandage whenever it becomes wet or dirty to prevent infection. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly, as doing so may cause further damage to the burn area.
- Bandaging isn’t necessary if the skin is not broken or the blisters are intact. However, it is a good idea to bandage if the area is prone to dirt or irritation from clothing.
- Avoid using adhesive tape to secure the bandage, as this can cause tightness and swelling around the hands, arms, or legs.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate mild pain symptoms. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Consider contacting your doctor. Even mild electrical burns may lead to symptoms that require a doctor's visit. Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Dizziness or weakness
- Joint stiffness or muscle pain
- Confusion or memory loss
- Concerns or questions about your condition or how to care for it
Watch for signs of infection. Infections are less likely with mild first-degree burns, but it’s important to monitor the area for any signs of infection, especially when blisters are present or the skin is broken. If you suspect the burn is infected, promptly consult your doctor for a prescription for antibiotics. Signs of infection may include:
- Color changes in the burned skin or surrounding area
- Red or purple skin, particularly when accompanied by swelling
- Changes in the burn’s depth (when it begins to go deeper into the skin)
- Greenish discharge or pus
- Fever
Have a doctor check large blisters. If large blisters develop on the burn, it's best to visit your doctor for proper treatment. Large blisters are rarely left intact and may burst, so it is safer to have them drained by a doctor using sterile procedures.
- A blister is considered large if it is bigger than the size of a little finger’s nail.
Change the bandage regularly. Replace the bandage whenever it becomes wet or dirty. Clean the burn (using clean hands or gloves) with water and mild soap, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a non-stick sterile dressing.
Advice
- Avoid attempting to repair electrical equipment without first ensuring that there is no power running through it.
- Use socket covers in the house to keep small children safe.
- Replace frayed or worn-out electrical cables.
- When calling emergency services, inform them that you're assisting someone with an electrical burn. They will guide you through the necessary steps for first aid.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when working with electrical devices.
- To prevent electrical burns, always wear proper clothing and take precautions when handling electrical work.
- Learn to identify the symptoms of first, second, and third-degree burns so you can decide on the next steps depending on the type of burn.
- First-degree burns are the mildest, affecting only the outermost layer of skin. These burns make the skin red and usually cause pain, but are considered minor and can be treated at home.
- Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns, affecting both the outer and second layers of skin. These burns cause redness, blisters, pain, and sensitivity. Small second-degree burns can be treated at home, but larger ones need medical attention.
- Third-degree burns are the most severe and dangerous, affecting all layers of the skin. These burns may cause the skin to turn red, brown, or white, often blackened, and the affected area may appear wrinkled with no sensation. This type of burn requires immediate emergency care.
Warnings
- Never touch someone who is being electrocuted, as you may become a victim as well.
- Do not enter areas where electrical equipment has been exposed to water or moisture.
- If a fire occurs due to an electrical short, first turn off the power, then use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
