Electrical Burns (part I)

Electrical burns are burns that happen when a person is directly exposed to an electrical current, they can cause extensive damage to internal organs.

Potential causes:

1. Children poking metal object like a knife in an electrical outlet, sucking, chewing, or biting an electrical cord.
2. Accidental contact with exposed parts of electrical appliances.
3. Occupational related exposure eg, electric arcs from high voltage power lines.
4. Failing to shut the power supply before making home repairs.
5. Lightning.
6. Dropping a plugged-in appliance into water.

Symptoms may include:

1. Skin burns.
2. Numbness or tingling.
3. Headache.
4. Impaired swallowing, vision or hearing.
5. Muscle contraction and pain.
6. Bone fractures.
7. Altered level of consciousness.
8. Seizures.
9. Respiratory failure.
10. Heart arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.